Illegal Immigrant Behind Oregon’s Largest Meth Operation Ever Gets 15 Years in Federal Prison

A Mexican national and leader of a drug trafficking cell in Lane County was yesterday sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possession of the largest ever single seizure of methamphetamine in the history of Oregon.

Found in Possession of 384 Pounds of Meth

Martin Manzo Negrete (51), a Mexican living illegally in the U.S., was found in possession of 384 pounds of methamphetamine which he distributed and sold in Lane County together. Apart from the 15-year prison sentence, he was also sentenced to five years of supervised release.

The cell operated by Manzo Negrete came under investigation in October 2020 for its role in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine transported from California to Oregon for distribution and sale in and around Lane County where it was stored, divided, and distributed into the community, according to court records.

Suspect Has a Long History of Drug Trafficking

Investigators discovered that the Mexican had a long history of drug trafficking and previously served 14 years in federal prison.

Investigators found that Manzo Negrete sold several pounds of methamphetamine to street-level dealers every week.

Identified as the leader of the Douglas County drug trafficking operation, Manzo Negrete was responsible for coordinating the receipt, storage, and distribution of methamphetamine in and around the county.

He was charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, along with five associates, in September 2021.

Two days later, in a coordinated operation, law enforcement executed federal search warrants at multiple locations in Lane County, including a storage unit containing 384 pounds of methamphetamine. Officers also seized 14 firearms and more than $76,000 in cash. Manzo Negrete and five associates were arrested and charged.

On March 4, 2025, Manzo Negrete pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on 4 March 2025.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration assisted by the police departments of Springfield and Eugene, and the Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team.

The case was prosecuted by Nicholas D. Meyers and William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.