The U.S. Attorney's Office indicted 22 men and women Wednesday, including a Salem man, linked to a drug trafficking organization with ties to a Mexican cartel.

The indictment accuses group's members of trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, heroine and cocaine in Oregon and Washington.

Agencies including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Westside Interagency Narcotics Task Force and the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force conducted an operation Wednesday morning that led to 17 arrests.

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Fifteen of the 22 defendants were arraigned in court the same day, the rest are expected to make an appearance by next week.

The indictment alleges the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine; use cell phones to traffic the drugs; and store and manufacture drugs.

Other charges include the interstate distribution of drug proceeds and money laundering, according to the release.

A drug cartel based in Michoaca, Mexico distributed the drugs to Victor Alvarez Farfan, 43, of Oregon City, according to the indictment.

Farfan and his associates manufactured the crystal methamphetamine from liquid form and distributed it to other members of the organization to sell in Hillsboro, Gresham, Portland, Hood River and Tacoma, Washington.

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The accused also allegedly distributed cocaine and heroin in the Portland-metro area. John Armas, 41, of Hillsboro, was accused of distributing methamphetamine he received from Farfan from a local distribution cell in the Hillsboro area.

Genaro Fernandez Gonzalez, 26, of Salem, is charged with conspiracy.

“I can attest that countless front line officers have been working around the clock to hold major drug traffickers accountable for their criminal activities," said Craig Roberts, Clackamas County Sheriff in a release. "Our united message is: Don’t bring this to Oregon or we in law enforcement will soon be knocking on your door.”

Virginia Barreda can be reached at 503-399-6657 or vbarreda@statesmanjournal.com or @vbarreda2