A Salem woman, Maria Gallegos-Mendoza, age 45, faces federal drug distribution charges following an investigation by the Salem Police Street Crime Unit. On March 19, 2020, the Salem Police Department Street Crimes Unit, with assistance from the FBI and DEA task force partners, arrested Gallegos-Mendoza and another suspect during the service of multiple search warrants in Salem.

During the course of the search, the task force seized 31 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately $50,000 in cash.

The FBI charged Gallegos-Mendoza via a federal criminal complaint on March 24, 2020, with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to the complaint, Gallegos-Mendoza told investigators that she had been selling methamphetamine for two years in amounts of 3.5 grams to one pound. The complaint also details that Gallegos-Mendoza would sell pound quantities of methamphetamine for approximately $2,500 each.

On March 25, 2020, Gallegos-Mendoza made her first appearance in federal court.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and all defendants should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.