Mexican National Extradited to Oregon To Face Charges of Methamphetamine/Cocaine Distribution and Money Laundering

Drug trafficking activities covered areas from California to Oklahoma

Santiago GOICOCHEA-DIAZ was extradited from Mexico to Portland, Oregon on April 5, 2006 to answer a 25-count indictment alleging his role in a methamphetamine/ cocaine trafficking organization operating from Mexico through California and Oregon to cities throughout the United States.  GOICOCHEA-DIAZ was arraigned on April 6, 2006 in U.S. District Court and was detained as a flight risk.  The hearing was continued to April l7, 2006.  If convicted, GOICOCHEA-DIAZ faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of l0 years in prison.

The United States Attorney’s Office in Oregon requested extradition of GOICOCHEA-DIAZ to face eight (8) of the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering charges. United States Attorney Karin Immergut stated, “Traffickers who bring illegal drugs into our communities from another country should know they face severe consequences for their actions including extradition. This defendant faces a life sentence in prison if convicted.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Rodney Benson stated, “The extradition of Santiago GOICOCHEA-DIAZ shows that drug traffickers cannot flee justice. Drug traffickers should take note that international borders will not provide them protection from U.S. law and that they will be held accountable for their illegal actions.”

In January 2000, a federal grand jury indictment was returned in Portland, Oregon, alleging that GOICOCHEA-DIAZ and five (5) other defendants engaged in criminal activity related to their involvement in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico into the United States. The indictment also alleges that between l994 and l998 GOICOCHEA-DIAZ and others conspired to possess and distribute cocaine and methamphetamine and then launder their illicit profits. GOICOCHEA-DIAZ is believed to have employed and directed individuals to move drugs from Mexico into and throughout the United States. It is also believed that GOICOCHEA-DIAZ solicited these same individuals to move money, obtained from the sale of these illegal drugs, back to California and into Mexico.

This was case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnathan Haub prosecuted this case. For further information contact Diane Peterson, Public Information Officer, at 503-727-l066. The press release will be posted to this office’s website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/or.

Read the Indictment >>

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