Vancouver Police Dismantle Meth Ring in Historic 'Operation Methopotamia'

In August 2007, Vancouver Police and federal agents launched coordinated raids across Clark County, arresting eight individuals tied to a sophisticated methamphetamine and heroin ring. The operation, named 'Operation Methopotamia,' capped a two-year investigation by the DEA, ICE, Clark Skamania Drug Task Force, Vancouver Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol. Authorities seized about one pound each of suspected methamphetamine and heroin, plus more than $175,000 in cash, targeting a network supplying the greater Vancouver area.

At the center was Augustine Bustos-Chavez, 23, of Vancouver, described as a mid-level dealer importing highly pure 'ice' methamphetamine and heroin from Mexico. He conspired with Sergio Perez-Hernandez, 32, Carlos Pineda-Nunez, 23, Jesus Antonio Villa-Anaya, 33, and Jose Cortez, 19, to distribute drugs via deliveries to homes, grocery store parking lots, video stores and hardware stores. Investigators used confidential informants for controlled buys and analyzed phone records showing tens of thousands of short calls—hallmarks of dealers fielding user 'fix' requests.

Four defendants faced federal conspiracy charges, with Perez-Hernandez later sentenced in May 2008 to 10 years in prison and five years supervised release in U.S. District Court in Tacoma. Earlier convictions included Sanbino Garcia-Quiroz at 151 months, Jose Angel Lopez-Aguilar at 135 months, and Jose Vazquez-Lopez at 63 months for meth-related offenses, accounting for eight pounds seized. All were in the U.S. illegally and faced deportation post-incarceration, underscoring the cross-border ties.

Funded as an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force probe, 'Operation Methopotamia' led to 24 state and federal charges, with 14 federally. The bust highlighted Vancouver's role as a hub for Southwest Washington's meth crisis, disrupting a pipeline that preyed on local communities in Clark County.