17 arrested in federal operation targeting drugs, guns in Portland metro

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - 17 people were arrested and 97 guns were seized in a five-week federal law enforcement operation across the Portland metro area, the Department of Justice announced Monday.

The operation, targeting gun and drug trafficking, also recovered a “significant” amount of meth, cocaine, and fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“Every gun seized is a life saved. Every gram seized is a life saved. This operation sends a clear message: if you traffic illegal guns or deadly narcotics in our communities, you will be held accountable,” said Scott Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon at a press conference announcing the results.

The operation lasted from August to September 2026, and involved a coalition of federal and local authorities including the DEA, ATF, FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service.