In a recent crackdown on illegal drug activity, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and FBI worked jointly to create a significant dent in the local drugs market. According to an MCSO press release, a man was detained in connection with a drug bust in northeast Portland that resulted in the seizure of more than nine pounds of methamphetamine, one kilogram of fentanyl, and $40,000 in cash.
On September 3, 2025, members of the Dangerous Drugs Team (DDT) conducted surveillance at a location where drug activity had previously been reported. Ricardo Olivas Sentael, 34, was witnessed conducting a narcotics transaction, prompting investigators to follow and inspect his automobile. The search yielded a half-pound of fentanyl. In a statement issued by the MCSO, Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell stated, “With fentanyl’s potency, we need everyone to understand that even a very small amount can be deadly.”
However, the search did not end there. Later that day, an additional search of Olivas Sentael’s hotel room in southeast Portland revealed an even greater stockpile of drugs. The surgery was declared a resounding success, potentially saving hundreds of lives. Earlier this year, the DDT was also responsible for the greatest narcotics seizure in MCSO history, with over 278 pounds of methamphetamine and more than two pounds of cocaine intercepted in a single haul.
Olivas Sentael is now facing criminal accusations and has been lodged into the Multnomah County Detention Center, with the United States Attorney’s Office handling the prosecution. The MCSO quickly recognized the FBI and USAO’s combined efforts in making the arrest feasible. It’s worth emphasizing that the Dangerous Drugs Team is a multi-jurisdictional task force dedicated to disrupting drug trafficking. The Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) provides support for the team, which includes individuals from multiple law enforcement organizations.
The arrest and seizure highlight the ongoing conflict between law enforcement and narcotics dealers in the region. The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program, which is supported by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, offers crucial financing and coordination for drug enforcement projects such as the MCSO Dangerous Drugs Team. As is always the case in such cases, the charges filed are allegations, and the accused, Olivas Sentael, is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt through the judicial process.
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