Portland 18th Street Gang Lieutenant Sentenced to 12 Years for Leading Massive Drug Trafficking Operation
The second-in-command of the renowned Portland 18th Street Gang, Noah Herrera (26), has received a 12-year prison sentence for his role in a local drug trafficking conspiracy and possession of a weapon in a federal prison.
According to court documents, Herrera worked with the 18th Street Gang leader, Gustavo Torres-Mendez, trafficking drugs in the Portland area. They dealt in large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
Federal agents seized nine pounds of methamphetamine during a transaction in Portland organized by Herrera in August 2022.
Then, the following month, agents monitoring the two gang leaders learned that they had collected $126,000 in cash after sending two gang members to pick up drugs in California.
FBI Agents Stopped a Vehicle Loaded with 104 Pounds of Methamphetamine Near Grants Pass
Keeping close surveillance on this transaction, agents stopped a vehicle near Grants Pass and seized more than 104 pounds of methamphetamine, and a quantity of cocaine.
Herrera was arrested in November 2022. A search of his home uncovered drugs, $5,000 in cash, two Glock pistols, ammunition, and several cell phones.
The FBI also searched a property in North Portland used by the 18th Street Gang as a stash house and meeting place. There, they seized 10 handguns, a short-barreled shotgun, ammunition, body armor, and other drug paraphernalia.
In September 2023, Herrera was found in possession of a six-inch shiv, made from a sharpened piece of metal, while housed at the FCI Sheridan, a medium security federal correctional institution.
At the beginning of 2025, he pleaded guilty to the possession, as well as to conspiring to distribute and possess methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. Herrera was also sentenced to five years of supervised release.