Bend oxycodone-steroids dealer arrested, drug agents say

A Bend man was arrested late last week on charges he ran a long-standing, region-wide drug trafficking operation. While a raid of his home allegedly turned up $150,000 worth of oxycodone, steroids and other drugs, he was released from jail the next day, authorities said Tuesday.

Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team detectives, assisted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, arrested Daniel Parkhurst, 48, about 1 p.m. last Thursday as he left the Postal Connections business on South Highway 97 in Bend, said Lt. Ken Mannix.

After his arrest, detectives executed a drug-related search warrant at Parkhurst’s home at 61175 Princeton Loop in southwest Bend, Mannix said.

Their they seized 2,812 oxycodone pills with a street value of about $100,000, as well as $50,000 worth of anabolic steroids, human growth hormones and prescription drugs. They also found cash and other evidence of oxycodone and steroids sales and distribution, Mannix said.

Parkhurst’s arrest and the raid on his home resulted from an investigation into his illegal activities trafficking large amounts of drugs throughout Central Oregon.

The CODE Team investigation found Parkhurst would buy large quantities of oxycodone and steroids from overseas sources, then sell them around the region, as well as retain some amounts for his own use, Mannix said.

Parkhurst also is accused of depositing a portion of the proceeds in a financial institution, from which co-conspirators would withdraw funds for the operation, the lieutenant said.

Parkhurst was booked Thursday into the Deschutes County Jail on charges of money laundering, criminal conspiracy and drug possession, manufacturing and distribution, as well as engaging in a financial transaction in property derived from an unlawful act.

His bail was set at $120,000, and a jail officer said he posted the required 10 percent and was released on Friday, pending a June 12 court date.

Mannix declined to reveal other details of the “active and ongoing” investigation but did say drug agents believe “Mr. Parkhurst has been actively involved in the trafficking of narcotics for a prolonged period of time.”