Approximately 10 pounds of varying narcotics were seized during a series of raids on vehicles and properties in Jackson County in recent weeks.

Medford police have named more than a half-dozen suspects arrested in connection with an alleged regional drug-trafficking organization that authorities say was responsible for transporting “significant quantities of narcotics into the area.”

The arrests, culminating from a two-year investigation by the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement team (MADGE), came after 14 warrants were served in recent weeks, which resulted in the seizure of 10 pounds of narcotics, $210,000 in cash and 50 firearms.

Authorization by Jackson County Circuit Court in March 2024 enabled digital surveillance of the alleged trafficking organization, according to a statement released by Medford police on Thursday. That allowed investigators to identify individuals and relationships suspected of involvement in drug-trafficking and money laundering.

In November 2024, MADGE obtained six Title III wiretap orders to intercept communications among organization members, enabling investigators to develop additional leads and identify more suspects. Between Jan. 16 and Jan. 22, MADGE and partner agencies carried out tactical operations throughout Jackson County and executed search warrants on residences and vehicles spanning from Prospect to Medford.

The organization was allegedly led by 40-year-old Eagle Point resident Carlos Diaz-Lourdes, who was arrested in the sweep. Police allege the group operated as a family-run enterprise, importing narcotics into Jackson County from outside the region, police said.

The other named arrestees, all facing charges of drug-trafficking and money laundering-related offenses, were:

Steven John Diaz, 32, of Los Angeles; Diaz’s twin brother, John Steven Diaz, 32, of Eagle Point; Eileen Diaz, 38, of Eagle Point; Nyah Rayne Yeoman, 22, of Medford; Mayra Miranda, 30, of Medford; Brian Caro, 27, of White City, and Ryan Lyle Hall, 43, of Prospect.

An additional 12 individuals have been arrested, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has filed multiple indictments related to this case, the release said. Those individuals, however, weren’t named on Thursday.

Some 10 pounds of narcotics were seized by MADGE during the investigation, including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl pills, iso-fentanyl powder and heroin. Other seized items included $210,000 in cash and approximately 50 firearms, many of which were short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and ghost guns (firearms assembled without serial numbers).

Community members from around the valley expressed relief at the arrests, noting some properties were alleged drug properties or nuisance properties.

Prospect Fire Chief Lyle Neville said the First Street property at which suspect Ryan Hall was arrested has been a longtime eyesore and source of public safety concern for the town.

A fire last year, in which a shed was fully engulfed in the front yard of the property, required firefighters to drag hoses through 6 inches of raw sewage on the property, Neville told the Rogue Valley Times. Occupants of the property refused to respond to firefighters’ request for information, including disclosure of a large number of propane and acetylene tanks inside the burning structure.

Neville, who requested that law enforcement and power company officials assist with the scene, said occupants on the property had “obviously no concern for our safety as we put their fire out.”

“Power company arrives to shut power off, for our safety, and tells us the power meter is bypassed with jumper cables … power has been shut off since then,” Neville said, noting that the property had still been occupied and allegedly using power illegally.

“Neighbors have had high addicts knocking on their doors in the middle of the (night), and the property has been an eyesore to our community,” Neville claimed.

“There have been rumors of human trafficking, lots of ne’er-do-wells coming and going … The community deserves better.”

Oregon DEQ officials confirmed the property, at 195 First Street, had been the subject of complaints and had been referred for compliance and enforcement action for documented solid waste violations.

Violations included accumulation of garbage and refuse, discarded appliances, scrap metals, and discarded or abandoned vehicles and tires.

Agencies that took part in the investigation and arrests included Medford police, Oregon State Police, Eagle Point Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Community Corrections, Homeland Security and the FBI.