The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) said Saturday that two men were taken into custody after officers found methamphetamine, a gun, and body armor in a Portland apartment following a search request.
When the PPB’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit carried out a search warrant at an apartment building along Southwest 12th Avenue at approximately 9:30 a.m. on May 30, the arrests took place.
An ongoing investigation investigating possible drug trafficking activity at the site included the warrant.
Authorities claim that detectives have solid evidence that the house contained at least one handgun.
PPB’s Crisis Negotiation Team and Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) were summoned in to help with the operation due to the possible threat presented by the weapons.
According to the police, SERT personnel broke through the door to enter the apartment after giving orders for the residents to leave freely.
Officers discovered two guys inside the flat who were subsequently identified as 29-year-old Verdell Center and 30-year-old Uriel Aceves-Leos. Both people were arrested without any incidents being recorded.
A loaded pistol, about 85 grams of methamphetamine, and a suit of body armor were found during a search of the flat. The amount of meth and associated evidence, according to officials, indicated drug distribution activities rather than mere possession.
Portland resident Aceves-Leos was arrested on several charges and taken to the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC). These include possession of a firearm by a felon, distribution of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and possession of a controlled substance.
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The second suspect, Center, was also registered with MCDC. He is also charged with being a felon in possession of body armor, which is prohibited by Oregon law in some situations, and with distributing and possessing methamphetamine, a forbidden substance.
The investigation by the Portland Police Bureau is still ongoing. Anyone with information on the case is urged to get in touch with the authorities and mention case number 25-130095.
This arrest highlights persistent issues with illegal firearms possession and drug trafficking in the Portland region, as well as the risks that law enforcement may encounter while conducting operations with armed suspects.
