Whitney M. Woodworth

Statesman Journal

A search warrant executed at a Keizer home near two schools led to the arrest of one suspect and the seizure of marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine and narcotics early Monday morning.

The house, 4945 Delight Street North, had become a magnet for those seeking to purchase and use controlled substances like heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, said Keizer Police Deputy Chief Jeffrey Kuhns.

High amounts of foot and vehicle traffic were reported at the house, which is near McNary High School and Cummings Elementary School.

Keizer police served a search warrant at the home with the assistance of Salem police's street crimes unit. Kuhns said investigators believed the occupants possessed firearms and could present a risk to police officers.

Wanting to reduce risk to surrounding neighbors, students and faculty, police executed the warrant at 4:45 a.m.

The Salem Police Department Bomb Squad was called in to render a possible explosive device safe. No one was injured during the raid.

Officers detained six occupants inside the home and arrested 24-year-old Kevin Lara Alvarez. Kuhns said Lara Alvarez is believed to be the primary person responsible for the home.

When Lara Alvarez was taken into custody, he was in possession of $3,400 in cash, marijuana, butane honey hash oil and edibles.

Police also seized more than 400 oxycodone pills along with prepackaged drugs, including 25 grams of heroin, one gram of methamphetamine, cocaine, 13 grams of crack cocaine, buprenorphine pills and alprazolam pills.

Investigators believe Lara Alvarez was manufacturing butane honey oil without a license — an illegal and sometimes explosive endeavor.

He was arrested on 20 charges including evidence tampering, unlawful delivery of oxycodone within 1,000 feet of a school, unlawful possession of heroin, first-degree theft by receiving stolen firearms, maintaining a place where controlled substances are used, unlawful delivery of heroin within with 1,000 feet of a school, unlawful manufacture of a marijuana extract, and unlawful delivery of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school.

He was taken to Marion County jail and held on $803,500 bail.

Keizer's Code Enforcement Division declared the drug house a nuisance property and ruled it was unsafe to occupy. Crews secured the home to prevent entry.

Keizer police spoke with a potential customer approaching the home Monday afternoon. They said they chose to purchase marijuana illegally from Lara Alvarez instead of a licensed dispensary because "it's cheaper."

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth