Meth operation uncovered in Redmond storage unit

Posted: Dec 10, 2008 02:08 PM PST

Last Updated: Dec 10, 2008 10:53 PM PST

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Meth raid points to issue of storage-unit safety (12/10)
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More than $20,000 worth of methamphetamine are found in Redmond storage unit



Felipe Olivares-Rosas (Deschutes County Jail 2004 photo)



Much of the seized meth was ready for distribution, drug agents say






Arrested man was ordered deported after earlier drug bust

By Barney Lerten and Keisha Burns, KTVZ.COM

A Redmond man who was ordered deported to Mexico after an earlier drug bust - but failed to report for deportation - was arrested Wednesday afternoon at a rented Redmond storage unit where drug agents found a methamphetamine distribution operation and seized almost a pound of meth, worth over $20,000.


Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team detectives, assisted by Redmond police, arrested Felipe Olivares-Rosas, 36, at the Wright Storage Units on South Canal Boulevard around 3 p.m. Wednesday, said Lt. John Gautney.

A lengthy investigation into Olivares-Rosas' trafficking of meth into Central Oregon developed information that he recently traveled to California and returned to Redmond with "a substantial amount of the drug," Gautney said.

Detectives set up surveillance and moved in when Olivares-Rosas went to the storage unit, finding a meth distribution operation set up inside the unit, Gautney said.

Along with more than 12 ounces of meth, detectives seized scales, packaging material and other items used in drug sales and distribution, Gautney said.

Olivares-Rosas also was using another Oregon drivers' license in the name of Felipe Rivera Mendez, he said.

In the past two years, the CODE Team had arrested Olivares-Rosas on other drug charges and he was ordered deported Gautney said. But he failed to report for deportation, and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents issued a warrant for his arrest.

Olivares-Rosas was held at the Deschutes County Jail in Bend on drug possession, manufacture and delivery charges, with bail of $35,000, and a no-bail immigration detainer.

The manager of Wright Mini-Storage didn't want to speak to NewsChannel 21, but at nearby Highway 97 Mini0Storage, Manager Leola Reel said that has not happened at her business - and she hopes it never does.

She says the policy is clear, when customers rent out storage units. But not everyone plays by the rules.

"Any kind of drugs or illegal material is not allowed, as well as explosives or any kinds of guns, ammunition," Reel said. "No paint or gasoline."

Keeping watch over the place can help prevent similar situations, she says

"If they are moving in, I'm not above going out and visiting for a little bit, kind of get an eye out on what's going into my unit," Reel said.

http://www.ktvz.com/Global/story.asp?S=9499860