Federal Charges Filed After Southern Oregon Traffic Stop Nets More than 100 Pounds of Fentanyl

PORTLAND, Ore.—A suspected drug trafficker is facing federal charges after he was caught by southern Oregon law enforcement transporting more than 100 pounds of fentanyl on U.S. Route 97 near Collier Memorial State Park.

Jothan Paul Barrios-Chable, 20, of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, on November 8, 2023, investigators from the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Team (MADGE) and Homeland Security Investigations, Medford, located Barrios-Chable traveling north on Highway 97 through Klamath Falls, Oregon, and a Medford Police Department canine officer stopped his vehicle just south of Collier Memorial State Park.

Detectives searched Barrios-Chable’s vehicle and located two suitcases, a backpack, and a small satchel. Each suitcase contained approximately twenty heat-sealed kilogram bricks of a narcotic later confirmed to be fentanyl. The backpack contained seven additional kilogram bricks of fentanyl and the satchel contained a loaded semi-automatic pistol. Further analysis determined that together the heat-sealed bricks contained approximately 117 pounds of fentanyl, including packaging.

Barrios-Chable made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

This case was investigated by MADGE, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Oregon State Police (OSP). It is being prosecuted by Marco A. Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

MADGE is a gang and narcotics enforcement team comprised of local, state, and federal investigators that work together to dismantle drug trafficking and other criminal organizations operating in and around Jackson County, Oregon. MADGE member agencies include the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices, Jackson County Community Corrections, HSI, and FBI.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.