In an early morning raid on May 30, Portland police apprehended two men suspected of narcotics trafficking and possessing illegal firearms. The Narcotics and Organized Crime (NOC) unit executed a search warrant in the downtown area, calling upon the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) due to the potential risk posed by the presence of firearms.
The operation, which included using armor to enter the premises safely, resulted in some noise, including the breaching of a door and broken glass. Residents, alerted by police announcements over a PA system, witnessed the tumult as officers ordered the apartment's occupants to come out. The search yielded about 85 grams of methamphetamine, a revolver, body armor, and other related paraphernalia.
Uriel Aceves-Leos, 30, and Verdell Center, 29, were the two individuals arrested during the raid. Both were charged with distribution and possession of a controlled substance, namely methamphetamine. Additionally, Aceves-Leos was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, and Center with being a felon in possession of body armor, according to the Portland Police Bureau's report.
The warrants served were the culmination of a proactive patrol mission by the Service Coordination Team (SCT), which, through actionable intelligence, quickly identified individuals involved in drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms. This collaborative effort by NOC, the Central Neighborhood Response Team, and the Central Bike Squad highlights an ongoing strategy to tackle drug-related crimes in Portland.
The Portland Police Bureau urges anyone with additional information on this case or other offenses committed by the suspects to email [email protected], referencing case number 25-130095.
