Oregon Pharmacist Implicated in Major Drug and Gun Trafficking Scheme That Led to Fourteen Arrests

By Lucille McNamara On Feb 7, 2026

Fourteen members of a drug and gun trafficking organization were arrested on Wednesday when multi-agency law enforcement officers swooped on 17 locations, including Oregon.

Oregon Pharmacist Allegedly Received Kickbacks for Filling Fake Prescriptions for Narcotics

Central to the investigation was a defendant who allegedly paid kickbacks to an Oregon pharmacist for filling fake prescriptions for oxycodone and other narcotics.

Tidings Timeline

Jun 2025 : Isaac Briones arrested while picking up a fraudulent prescription in Davenport Washington.
Feb 2026 : Multi agency teams arrest 14 suspects across 17 locations including Oregon.
Feb 2026 : Agents seize 38 firearms, nine conversion devices, and large quantities of fentanyl, meth, cocaine, and counterfeit pills.
Feb 2026 : U.S. Attorney announces charges and links three overdose deaths to the alleged ringleader.

In June 2025, Isaac Briones (24), of Sunnyside, Washington, was arrested while picking up a fraudulent prescription in Davenport, Washington.

The 14 members of the drug and gun trafficking organization affiliated with the Black Gangster Disciples street gang were arrested in Oregon, Washington, and California.

The organization’s leader, Kevin Salgado (27), of Washington, allegedly headed the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and counterfeit oxycodone and Xanax pills.

Tidings Context

Counterfeit oxycodone and Xanax pills sold on the street are frequently pressed illicitly and may contain fentanyl or other dangerous additives, which is why investigators treat pill presses and bulk powder as major trafficking evidence.

Three Deaths by Drug Overdose are Linked to Salgado

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd says the ringleader, Kevin Salgado, used the mailing system to allegedly distribute the pills he manufactured across the country. Three deaths caused by drug overdoses are connected to Salgado.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington, some members of the organization were involved in a conspiracy to possess firearms for use in their drug trafficking activities.

Other defendants allegedly engaged in a wide range of criminal conduct, such as pressing narcotic pills for distribution, trafficking firearms, and switches to make them machine guns.

Tidings Insight

A machinegun conversion device often called a Glock switch can turn a pistol into rapid fully automatic fire. Under federal law, the device itself is treated as a machinegun.

Drug and Firearms Seized by Investigators

To date, investigators have seized:

38 firearms and nine machine gun conversion devices
Seven kilograms of counterfeit oxycodone pills
Four kilograms of methamphetamine (355.3 grams)
Two kilograms of Phenazepam
924 grams of fentanyl powder
887.9 grams of fentanyl pills
557.6 grams of cocaine, and
268.8 grams of Xanax pills.

Defendants Rerouted Shipments of Controlled Substances

Some of the defendants hacked into drug distribution companies and rerouted shipments of controlled substances to sell them on the streets.

Twelve of the 14 suspects arrested on Wednesday are from Washington, while one is from California and the other from Oregon. He is Edgar Adrian Hernandez (26) of Yamhill.

Prosecutors in the case are Assistant U.S. Attorney Elyne Vaught and Michael Harder.