Authorities arrested an Estacada man on Saturday, accusing him of trafficking 270 pounds of methamphetamine into Oregon.
Anthony Barrera, 29, faces multiple charges, including possession of meth and cocaine with intent to distribute. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, he allegedly transported the drugs from Southern California to Oregon.
Investigators say Barrera rented a vehicle, drove to California to pick up the drugs, and returned to Oregon with plans to distribute them.
“On May 24, 2025, officers located Barrera driving the rental vehicle northbound on Interstate 5 and followed him to a rest area near Roseburg, Oregon, where Barrera was arrested without incident,” the U.S. DOJ stated in a press release. Agents then searched the rental car under a federal warrant, uncovering 270 pounds of meth and two pounds of cocaine hidden in the backseat and cargo area. Later that day, authorities searched Barrera’s home and found two firearms concealed under a closet floor.
Barrera appeared in federal court in Portland on Tuesday. A U.S. Magistrate Judge ordered him to remain in custody until further court proceedings.
The case is part of a joint investigation involving the Multnomah County Dangerous Drug Team and the FBI, targeting large-scale drug trafficking operations in Oregon and Idaho.