Guns, pickup trucks also seized; Rigoberto's 'major source' of meth, drug agent says

By Barney Lerten, KTVZ.COM

Twin brothers who own Rigoberto's Taco Shop on Bend's Westside have been arrested on numerous drug charges as their restaurant and homes were raided following months of undercover detective work, the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team announced Monday.

Thursday's raids culminated an extensive joint investigation by the CODE Team and Deschutes County Sheriff's Street Crimes Team into methamphetamine distribution of methamphetamine through Rigoberto's West, at 1365 NW Galveston Ave., said Lt. John Gautney.

CODE Team detectives made several undercover drug buys from the owners, Damian and Julian Castanedoa-Nino, both 23 and of Bend, Gautney said.

Searches also were conducted at the brothers' homes, at 315 NW Bond St., Apt. 3, and 19982 SW Cliffrose Dr., off Brookswood Boulevard, he said.

"During this investigation, it was evident from their actions that Damian and Julian were a major source of methamphetamine at both the street level, as well as the dealer level," Gautney said in a news release.

CODE Team agents were assisted in the raids by sheriff's office, Bend police and Oregon State Police detectives, along with county drug detection K-9 "Missy," Gautney said.

During the raids, detectives seized more than five ounces of meth, more than two ounces of marijuana, scales and packaging material, more than $37,800 in cash, six guns and two pickup trucks.

"During this investigation, a total of almost eight ounces of meth was removed off the streets of Central Oregon," Gautney said.

The brothers were lodged in the county jail, where they remained held on $750,000 bail Monday on numerous drug manufacturing, possession, distribution and conspiracy charges. Damian Castanedo-Nino also had a Deschutes County Parole and Probation detention warrant, Gautney said.

Gautney said he believed both men were U.S. citizens, although jail records indicated federal immigration officials should be contacted if Julian Castanedo-Nina is convicted of the crimes.

The street value on the amount of meth seized, at user amounts, would be more than $22,000, with a dealer value of just over $11,500, the lieutenant said,