A 28-year-old Washington man was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison after a traffic accident in Oregon revealed a large fentanyl stash.
Jesus Paul Zazueta of Yakima was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking synthetic opioids.
Two Bags of Fentanyl Pills and a Firearm Were Found by Law Enforcement Officers
Court records show Zazueta was a passenger in a car that crashed in Deschutes County on October 4, 2021.
When sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police arrived, they searched the vehicle and found two bags in the trunk containing approximately five pounds of fentanyl pills. Officers also discovered a semi-automatic firearm.
According to federal prosecutors, Zazueta later admitted to packing the drug bags himself and expecting payment for transporting them.
In July 2023, a Eugene grand jury indicted him for drug trafficking and firearm possession. In May 2025, he pleaded guilty to possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Police, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office all conducted investigations into the case. It was prosecuted by Adam Delph, an Assistant United States Attorney.
Authorities emphasize the risks of fentanyl, a powerful drug linked to an increase in overdoses across Oregon and the country. Those struggling with substance abuse can seek help from the free, confidential Lines for Life helpline at 1-800-923-4357.
