Two Eugene Residents Arrested After 73 Pounds of Meth Seized on I-5

EUGENE, Ore. — A major drug trafficking investigation involving multiple agencies led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of more than 70 pounds of methamphetamine along Interstate 5 in Lane County.

According to the Eugene Police Street Crimes Unit (SCU), Oregon State Police, and federal court documents, investigators had been tracking 45-year-old Alejandra Diaz-Alcantar and 41-year-old Juan Alberto Alvarado-Gonzalez, who were suspected of transporting large quantities of meth from California to Eugene. Authorities say the pair had been under surveillance and were confirmed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to be in California after investigators received a description of their vehicle.

On Tuesday, November 11, Oregon State Police stopped the suspects’ white Chevrolet pickup on Interstate 5 near Cottage Grove as part of the ongoing investigation. A drug-detection K9 alerted to narcotics, and officers obtained a search warrant. Inside the vehicle, investigators found two duffel bags containing 56 packages of methamphetamine, weighing roughly 72–73 pounds in total. SCU officials estimated the wholesale value at about $50,000. Officers also seized more than $1,000 in cash.

Follow-up searches at three Eugene residences on Railroad Boulevard uncovered additional evidence of drug manufacturing and sales, along with another $2,400 in cash.

Diaz-Alcantar and Alvarado-Gonzalez were booked into the Lane County Jail on state charges of Unlawful Delivery and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (substantial quantity). Federal prosecutors have also charged both individuals, identified as Mexican nationals unlawfully in the United States, with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.

Officials emphasize that a criminal complaint is only an accusation and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Information and image from KMTR and justice.gov