Mid-Columbia narcotics detectives swept into The Dalles on Wednesday with a search warrant and walked out with what officials call a substantial stash of suspected drugs and cash. Two people were arrested during the operation and remain in custody while investigators keep digging into the case.
The Mid-Columbia Interagency Narcotics Task Force (MINT) executed the warrant and seized roughly 2.2 pounds of suspected cocaine, about 1.3 grams of methamphetamine and $41,241 in U.S. currency, according to the City of The Dalles Police Department. The department also shared photos from the scene showing packaged evidence laid out for documentation alongside agency vehicles.
Local reporting identifies the arrestees as Valentino Romero and Lynette Bradford. Romero is accused of possession and delivery of cocaine and is also alleged to be a felon in possession of a weapon, while Bradford faces possession and delivery charges that include delivery within 1,000 feet of a school, according to Country Herald. Both were lodged at the Northern Oregon Regional Corrections facility pending further court proceedings, the outlet reports.
Who Took Part and What Was Recovered
The Mid-Columbia task force is a multi-agency unit made up of detectives from The Dalles City Police and the Wasco and Hood River County sheriff’s offices, according to Wasco County records. Country Herald reports that the warrant operation drew backup from the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Hood River County deputies, The Dalles Police Department and Gilliam County K-9 teams.
Legal Implications
Some of the allegations carry potentially steep prison time. Under Oregon law, manufacture or delivery of Schedule I, II or III drugs within 1,000 feet of a school is treated as a Class A felony. The statute detailing that offense and its classification appears in ORS chapter 475; see ORS 475.
Where This Fits
The raid is the latest in a series of MINT investigations across the mid-Columbia region. For comparison, a May 2025 operation in The Dalles turned up about 143 grams of suspected cocaine and roughly $101,756 in suspected drug proceeds, local reporting shows. That earlier case, along with others nearby, highlights ongoing efforts by multi-agency teams to disrupt local distribution networks.
The investigation into Wednesday’s seizure remains active, and authorities say more information could be released as charges are formally filed. The individuals named in the case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact local law enforcement, according to reporting.
