Nevada man used Tualatin beauty salon to launder millions in drug trafficking proceeds

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Nevada man pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to heading an Oregon-based drug trafficking organization, then laundering millions in profits through a Washington County business, authorities said.

Luis Antonio Beltran Arredondo was a Mexican national "unlawfully" living in North Las Vegas when he led a drug trafficking ring that brought pounds of heroin, fentanyl and meth into Oregon, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Investigators seized more than 52 pounds of heroin, seven pounds of fentanyl pills and nearly six pounds of methamphetamine in connection with the Portland metro area drug trafficking operation between October 2021 and January 2022, according to court documents.

Arredondo then conspired to launder $4.63 million in drug trafficking profits through a Tualatin-based beauty salon, officials said. He then bought nine properties using the money, converting them to income-generating rentals. The properties were forfeited to the United States and will be sold.

On Monday, Arredondo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, distribution of heroin and fentanyl and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is slated to be sentenced on August 18, where he faces a maximum life sentence in prison, with five years supervised release and $10 million in fines.