Gang leader gets 12-year prison sentence for drug trafficking in Portland area, gun charge

Noah Herrera, a 26-year-old leader of the 18th Street Gang, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for drug trafficking in the Portland area. The gang distributed meth, cocaine, and fentanyl sourced from California, contributing to local drug issues. Law enforcement seized 104 pounds of meth and other drugs during their investigation into the gang's operations. Authorities arrested Herrera in November 2022 at his Vancouver home, where they discovered loaded firearms, ammunition, and over $5,000 in cash. In January 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute drugs and possessing a dangerous weapon.

The U. S. Attorney’s Office emphasized the gang's heavy armament and its dangerous role in the community. This case reflects the broader challenges of combating gang-related drug trafficking in the Portland area. As local authorities continue efforts to address drug-related crime, the sentence aims to deter similar activities.