PORTLAND, Ore. – A 45-year-old Honduran national living unlawfully in Portland has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his role in a significant fentanyl trafficking operation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Edis Odalis Centeno Banegas was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, stemming from a bust that took place in September 2023. The sentencing also includes three years of supervised release following his prison term.
Arrest and Traffic Stop
The case began on September 6, 2023, when Banegas and a co-conspirator were pulled over during a routine traffic stop. Authorities seized a quantity of fentanyl from the vehicle, as well as Super Mannitol, a substance commonly used to dilute fentanyl for broader street-level distribution.
According to officials, Super Mannitol is frequently used by drug traffickers to stretch fentanyl supply, increasing both profits and the dangers associated with inconsistent potency.
Major Seizure at Home and Storage Unit
Later that day, federal agents executed search warrants at Banegas’s residence and a nearby storage unit. Inside, they uncovered:
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Over 10 pounds of fentanyl
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Additional quantities of Super Mannitol
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Firearms and ammunition
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Drug processing equipment, including tools for packaging and mixing narcotics
Authorities noted that the amount of fentanyl recovered could potentially produce millions of lethal doses, underscoring the severity of the threat posed by the operation.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Banegas pleaded guilty in February 2024 to federal charges related to the case. During sentencing, prosecutors highlighted the dangers associated with fentanyl trafficking and the broader impact on Portland-area communities.
The case is part of a broader federal effort to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic, with particular focus on fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and a leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S.
Ongoing Efforts Against Fentanyl Trafficking
Federal and local agencies in Oregon have ramped up efforts to intercept fentanyl before it reaches local neighborhoods. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has described fentanyl as “the deadliest drug threat facing this nation,” due in part to its frequent mixing with other substances and the razor-thin margin between a high and a fatal dose.
Banegas’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the serious consequences for individuals involved in drug trafficking—particularly in cases involving synthetic opioids.
Community Impact and Public Awareness
Officials are urging the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity that could be linked to narcotics trafficking. At the same time, public health leaders continue to push for increased education, treatment resources, and harm reduction programs to address the demand side of the opioid crisis.
With this sentencing, federal authorities reaffirm their commitment to disrupting drug networks, protecting communities, and holding traffickers accountable—regardless of immigration status.
The case was investigated by the DEA, Portland Police Bureau, and other federal partners as part of a coordinated anti-drug initiative in the region.
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