Seatle, WA. - Authorities arrested 17 alleged drug traffickers and confiscated large amounts of methamphetamine and heroin Wednesday after a large multi-agency raid across the Puget Sound area.
The U.S. Justice Department says the drugs were being smuggled into the Seattle area. Officers seized 37.5 pounds of meth and 27 pounds of heroin during the whole operation. The DEA also seized $10,000 in cash and six firearms.
“At the height of the opioid epidemic, the Pacific Northwest is also drowning in methamphetamine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis. "It's a stimulant, so we believe it's one of the components that's driving the opiod epidemic because many times, the data shows that users associate methamphetamine or use methamphetamine to counteract opiod withdrawal symptoms, physical pain, a lack of energy. They utilize the stimulant to gain energy," he said.
Federal agents were tipped off to the drug trafficking operation in September 2018 and worked with numerous local agencies in planning the raid.
DEA photo
"The DEA has had a record amount of seizures this year. More than 3,400 pounds of methamphetamine has been seized, over 60 percent of that here in the state of Washington," said Weis.
Of the 10 locations searched Wednesday by King County Sheriff's deputies and DEA agents, one was a home in SeaTac and another was near South Park.
“Federal law enforcement continues to target those who seek to poison our communities and to line their pockets on the misery of others,” said U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. “I commend the men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line to stem those who traffic in violence, addiction and death.”
Sixteen people were indicted and a 17th person was charged by criminal complaint after Wednesday's searches:
* Daniel Hernandez-Hernandez, 35, Seattle
* Doriam German Moreno-Rocha, 29, SeaTac, Washington
* Adrian Alberto Sanchez-Esparza, 30, Madera, California
* Fernando Bautista-Sanchez, 43, Auburn, Washington
* Angela Davina Encinas, 38, Auburn, Washington
* Norberto Flores-Lopez, 22, Pacific, Washington
* Faustino Islas-Estrada, 52, SeaTac, Washington
* Omar Salazar, 32, Federal Way, Washington
* Manuela Gabriele Zahn, 56, Olympia, Washington
* Adam Mark Bishop, 35, Tacoma
* Mitchell Eugene Vaughan, 33, Puyallup, Washington
* Ryan Lee Isaksen, 28, Spanaway, Washington
* Karissa Jean Mason, 36, Seattle
* Anthony Jacques McKinney, 38, Lakewood, Washington
* Luis Manuel Rivera-Leriget, 44, San Diego
* Karina Rodriguez, 39, Newman, California
The case is prosecuted by Assistant US Attorneys Andrew Colasurdo and Marci Ellsworth. The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Tacoma Resident Office, the Tahoma Narcotics Enforcement Team (TNET) and the Burien Police Department (BPD) Street Team. TNET is comprised of the Tacoma, Lakewood, Auburn, Bonney Lake, and Puyallup Police Departments, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC). Other assisting agencies include the Kent Police Department and the King County Sheriff’s Office SeaTac Police Department Street Team. The investigation was supported by North West High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NW HIDTA).
In addition to the agencies listed above, these law enforcement agencies assisted with the arrests and search warrants executed: King County SWAT, Valley SWAT, Pierce County SWAT, Washington State Patrol SWAT, Lakewood Police Tactical Team, Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team (VNET), Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (VNET), West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNet), Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office, Hoquiam Police Department and Aberdeen Police Department.
Sol Prendido Borderland Beat Source Source
All Hispanics from the look at these names. More fuel to the fire by those racially motivated people.
ReplyDeleteThen again its coming from Mexico!
But where is it going and who is consuming it ?: USA and people with English surnames. Yikes, let's look in the mirror first.
DeleteDon't be racist. Vaughn,Bishop, Mason, Isakson, and McKinney are not Hispanic last names. Also not all hispanics are Mexican. For the record my last name is the same as one of these and I'm American til I die. So try not to be racist in this country created by immigrants for immigrants
DeleteNot really if you look closely there's also some white and black names.
DeleteI'm from Washington and its horrible, they dont use it for withdrawal, they use it to mix it when there low they take meth and when there to high they take heroin, we got so many people overdosing off of fentanyl also it's not even funny. Most opiate users are people who started cause of doctors giving them painkillers like if it was candy
DeleteRacist!
DeleteI'm Hispanic of origin. Educated and well mannered. Not a racist bone in my body other than those of my heritage that make us good people bad. Rather, that bitter taste we have received due to ignorant behavior.
The majority of these drugs engulfing our communities are coming from our neighbor (Mexico). Statistics from law enforcement have indicated the reality of this truth.
Along with the insatiable love for drugs Americans have.
Let's face facts how many perceive Mexicans nowadays. Cartel perception from Hollywood decades ago was never visible.
Things have surely changed from humble and giving to drug dealing and killers.
And u are correct as to a few names not being of Hispanic origin. But can assure u that it's the Mexican cartels running the show.
Not all meth comes from Mexico either...Modesto area is known for meth labs. Granted they are mostly run by Mexicans though so...you are kinda right lol
DeleteEasy minded people might think this.
DeleteBut Americans are asking for meth and opioids and cocaine and willing to pay well.
Counteract opioid withdrawal symptoms?? I went through many opiate kicks and never once heard of someone trying meth for withdrawls and I've never even heard anybody suggest it? Is this new? Maybe in the 10 years since I got clean things have changed? 🤷♂️
ReplyDeleteI shot meth once on opiate withdrawals, thinking it would get me through it faster, and I was instantly thrust into the bowels of hell. It was a horror-show. Deep sickness and extreme stimulation don't mix. I can't imagine kicking on that stuff regularly,
DeleteYou’re not from aroujd the west coast i take it. I live in Portland where most tweekers are heroin users as well and vice versa. the meth/opioid epidemic here is spiraling out of control.
DeleteAgreed 240- more like speedballing the two to counteract the Fenty with meth so you dont OD ON THE spot. Drug addicts choice nowadays is the speed ball. Just an FYI from peops that do it.
DeleteI used to shoot up meth and it was the biggest rush I’ve ever had in my life I was on that for a while almost lost it all now I been clean for 3 years going strong and never looking back. That stuff will destroy you
DeleteSeattle, Portland, Tacoma, and Spokane are pretty much saturated in Meth and Heroin. Needles everywhere. Even in rural areas, you walk through the woods, and find homeless camps, and needles everywhere. It's very sad.
ReplyDeleteMy clients are all white people with more tattoos than 🦷 teeth.
DeleteBeautiful state with soo much artistic people. Along with an extensive collection of paintings in the Seattle art museum. Despite the homeless problem and congestion. Pikes place and MT Rainier are well enforced by police.
DeleteA sad situation that many cities are facing nowadays Granderojo.
E42
We've been drowning in meth for at least ten years and they're just starting to notice?
ReplyDeleteNationally yes...the ultra liberal policies up here have created this mess. It's epidemic to say the least. The cartels have infiltrated the whole region. Our strong economy means easy cash here.
DeleteThe American dollar has always been enticing for all. The pinnacle of achievement for many foreign or domestic. One just needs to know what sells.
DeleteUntil then expect the same. Or until another drug takes its place.
Beltran territory?
ReplyDeleteI would think so but CJNG moves the meth
DeleteLos viagras and la nueva familia michoacana send jale to portland and seattle areas
DeleteNo arellano felix turf
DeleteCDS and some small time michoacanos. CDS has a firm grip on the PNW overall.
Delete3:00 AM What are you talking about the Sinaloas got ran out of the PNW. The people moving the Jale are La Nueva Familia Michoacana/Familia Michoacana. They are also moving the Fenty/Heroin since they have labs in Guerrero. It the other way around Los Carteles Unidos have a firm grip in the PNW going into Canada.
Delete510 culiacan is the biggest meth producer.
DeleteSinaloas labs been getting hit HARD this year ALL over their plazas.. Culiacan, baja California and other parts they control.. For some reason the DEA is after the snitchaloas HARD .. There are MANY stories here of HUGE CDS BUSTS and I don't think it's just for show. There are many U.S agencies avmcordingbto stories here on BB like the chapitos bust that DEA took A PART to catch them. The 🇲🇽 released them though but that st a different story
Delete6:54 PM CDS controls Yakima valley, a huge storage depot for weight. Whoever controls that controls the state.
DeleteMore like all of North America and rest of the world...
ReplyDeleteI lived in Seattle. Before I left some years ago, I got the impression that powder cocaine was the hardest drug to score. Crack, meth and heroin were plentiful.
ReplyDeleteI work in the largest homeless shelter in seattle and it's awash in meth. I'm hearing as low as $300 oz and 'teeners' for $25. People in meth psychosis all over downtown Seattle. It's like a zombie apocalypse. It's a mess.
ReplyDeleteThe meth here comes from Eastern Washington. Specifically Yakima Valley, and that's always been Sinaloa territory.
8:34 Viagras have people in Yakima and the Tri City area.
DeleteI agree with the comments here, this isn’t about counter acting opioids, and now sadly from Portland to Seattle this is becoming all to common & they are NOW JUST NOTICING? Yet they continue to aid & abed criminals, not prosecute nor document certain crimes so they can claim “crime is down” when EVERYONE living here knows that is a lie! And worst of all they DISARM LAW ABIDING CITIZENS or make us criminals for doing nothing but simply trying to live our lives. Most people are good people, it doesn’t matter what side you sit on, most people are good hard working people, but these politicians they are truly corrupt & rotten. They are not my neighbors, they are not the people who look out for us, they certainly are not the people living in the real world. I’m not sure what’s happening in our country any longer but it’s not sustainable that I know.
ReplyDeleteWho tf would use meth when theyr sick on opiates? It seems like it would make it worse.i bn clean for just over 5 years and never would i have done meth when i was sick
ReplyDeleteThis is what the country wants. To have addicts up the ass...
ReplyDeleteI, mean if the country really wanted to end addiction it would educate everyone since very young in schools and elsewhere but no. Schools only touch the subject they really do not care about what hapoens afterwards.
2:40.
ReplyDeleteKratom is the only substance that I know of which helps with opioid withdraw. It does help. I know this from first hand and a few of my friends.
Kratom has no side effects if used in moderation of course. I highly recommend it.
Hey man couldn’t agree more with you Kratom helps when used in moderation can help you kick bad drugs or alcohol
DeleteKratom can be a life saver for some people seriously.
Delete8:08 and 8:14
DeleteKratom is such a miracle herb but not many people know about it. I find that the best strain of kratom for opiods withdraw is Super Green Kratom. It is a herb and it really is amazing how much it helps with kicking the opiods out of your life. I, had no down time when decided to get clean. The first three days were the worst but nothing compared to cold turkey and such. I was able to function with no problems. Of course you do feel the process but as I said it is nothing compared to going cold turkey. I went to work, sociallized with familly and friends and after three days it was all good, after another week I was happy as can be. I recommend kratom to folks who struggle with opiod addiction and are scared of the withdraw. Give it a try, you will not be disappointed. I took 5-6 grams of it every 3-5 hrs for first three days, after that 4 grams every 6 hrs for next week and after that about 2 grams a couple or three times a day until got clean 100%. Now I am free of all crap. It worked for me, for my friends and it will work for you.
Good luck,
well, Washington, that is, the Peoples Republic of Wahington does not enforce any drug laws...or any other law for that matter. so, what did you expect when you elected the governor, mayor, etc?
ReplyDeleteBlack tar..
ReplyDeleteNo la familia, and Juarez and tj cartels operate in Seattle area
ReplyDeleteExcellent catch, even thier names are posted. Where as in Mexico, they hide thier names and faces.
ReplyDeleteNo cartel strong hold this is 209 California ran operation...G.C.
ReplyDeleteMeth has been a blight for 30+ years in the states. Real bad in rural america. Why so few local white labs busted in the last few years,...? Cause they make 3 tons a week at just one lab in the hills of Sinaloa, let along the others, all from Chicom chemicals. Some genuine statistics please, as to the real state of addiction in the Americas?
ReplyDeleteDamn BB has nothing but meth heads
ReplyDeleteFrom my own observations heroin and fentanyl have become just as prevalent as meth in the valley. It is a huge agricultural center that has always brought an enormous number of migrant workers both legal/ illegal residents and transient workers that return home to Mexico each fall and are largely ignored by law enforcement. I had never seen heroin or would've been able to obtain it until a decade ago and we've now seen fentanyl laced "mexican brownies" arrive on the scene recently. Also since that time we've witnessed an increase in gang violence that when reading about I've always dismissed as trivial nonsense between the children of immigrants wearing different colored t shirts, I grew up with kids like this and they were mostly not too be taken seriously, but now I'm wondering if we're actually seeing hints of something more nefarious.
ReplyDelete