MEDFORD, Ore.—On March 29, 2023, a Salem, Oregon man was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison after he was caught transporting several dozen pounds of methamphetamine.

David Contreras, aka Jorge Castillo-Gomez, 51, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, on April 9, 2019, Contreras and an accomplice were traveling north on Interstate 5 near Central Point, Oregon when they were stopped by an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper for speeding. As the trooper approached the vehicle, he observed a cardboard box inside containing a clear package with a substance resembling methamphetamine. While the trooper processed the traffic violation, he determined that the driver had a suspended Oregon driver’s license and Contreras, a passenger, did not possess a license.

After an OSP narcotics canine alerted on the vehicle, troopers conducted a search. Inside the cardboard box they found several packages containing more than 33 pounds of methamphetamine. In addition to the drugs, they located a firearm concealed on the driver’s person, more than $3,000 in cash on Contreras’ person, and an additional $6,000 in cash in a backpack. The driver explained that he reported to Contreras who provided the troopers with a false name and identification documents.

On May 1, 2019, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Contreras and his accomplice with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On November 8, 2021, Contreras pleaded guilty to the single charge.

This case was investigated by OSP with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Marco A. Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

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