Salem man charged with possessing fentanyl, other drugs to sell
A federal grand jury indicted Phillip Thomas, 30 of Salem, on charges of possession of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm as a felon Nov. 2 in Portland U.S. District Court, according to court records.
The Salem Police Strategic Investigations Unit arrested Thomas June 29 as part of an “extensive investigation” into mixed drugs containing fentanyl and other illegal drugs being sold in Salem, the Salem Police Department wrote in a statement late Monday afternoon.
“The investigation pointed to Thomas’ involvement,” the statement read.
Detectives found and arrested Thomas that afternoon in the parking lot of a motel in the 3000 block of Southeast Ryan Drive.
Police found Thomas in possession of 3,000 polydrug tablets more commonly known as M30 pills containing fentanyl, eight ounces of methamphetamine, three ounces of heroin, a Glock 23 firearm with an extended magazine with ammunition loaded, a .25 caliber automatic handgun and about $164,000 in cash, according to the statement.
Thomas was held in the Marion County Jail on outstanding warrants in other related cases before he was transferred into federal custody Monday to make his first appearance in federal court. He was detained as “both a flight risk and danger to the community” pending a jury trial scheduled for Dec. 20, police said.
The task force joins Salem police with the the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon and other federal agencies “to bring increased focus and resources to address narcotics trafficking and violent crime in Salem,” according to the statement. Since Jan. 1, investigations by the task force have led to the local seizures of nearly 40,000 fentanyl-laced tablets, over 100 pounds of methamphetamine, and 135 firearms.
Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.
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Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered the justice system and public safety for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.
