The Investigation of Pepe Chavez et al: How Presidential Task Force #NW-OR-001 Challenged Conventional Drug Investigation Methods

In the early 1980s, Portland Police Sergeant Ray Tercek helped launch one of the nation s largest drug trafficking conspiracy investigations something he didn t initially set out to do. When a small investigation into the activities of known cocaine trafficker Jose Pepe Chavez revealed a larger criminal conspiracy, it was apparent to Tercek and his team that traditional buy-bust methods of drug investigation would be ineffective to bring down the entire organization. As a result, Presidential Task Force NW-OR-001 was formed. However, catching Chavez and his chief co-conspirator, James Barnard, would not be cut-and-dry. Tercek's efforts would be complicated by the internal politics of his own police bureau. The Investigation of Pepe Chavez, et al., is Tercek's account of how a rookie sergeant with a new style of investigation led his team through the dirty underworld of adult entertainment shops and into the high-octane world of NHRA drag racing to catch their suspects. Tercek, along with Lead Investigator Mickey Guinn, DEA Agent Ray Moffett, and the rest of Task Force NW-OR-001, took down a conspiracy that moved drugs from South America through Mexico into several western states including Arizona, California, Washington, and Oregon. Tercek's narrative provides an introspective look at the mechanics of a historical conspiracy method of investigation and exposes the behind-the-scenes political wrangling that threatened to defeat the investigation at every turn. Read more