Pierce County residents among 13 people indicted in drug-trafficking scheme, feds say
Thirteen people have been indicted in a large-scale drug-trafficking investigation. Ten of them are in custody, according to the Department of Justice.
The defendants are accused of bringing loads of drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, into Washington while arming themselves with high-powered firearms. Law enforcement previously seized drugs in Oregon and Washington, but the ring allegedly continued operating, a DOJ news release said.
The lead indictment names 10 defendants in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, the release said. The lead defendant is a 23-year-old Federal Way man who also is charged with using a firearm in relation to a drug-trafficking crime. Others named in the indictment include:
- A 19-year-old Enumclaw man
- A 24-year-old Federal Way man
- A 21-year-old Tacoma man
- A 22-year-old Kent man
- A 33-year-old Seattle resident
- A 20-year-old Federal Way man
A 26-year-old resident of Renton was charged in a second indictment for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute it, the release said. On Feb. 27, one kilo of cocaine and two firearms were taken by law enforcement.
Two other Federal Way men are named in a third indictment for a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for a seizure of 14 kilos of cocaine and one firearm on March 24, in Lewis County, the release said.
Prior to the arrests, law enforcement seized:
- 59 kilograms of fentanyl pills
- 81 kilograms of methamphetamine
- 21 kilos of cocaine and eleven firearms
Two additional defendants who allegedly were involved in the drug-trafficking activity were arrested on criminal complaints on May 14:
- A 25-year-old Puyallup man
- A 23-year-old Kent resident
On May 14, law enforcement seized an additional 12-plus kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 14,000 fentanyl pills, a half-kilogram of cocaine and 42 firearms, the release said.
“Drugs and guns are a dangerous combination and this group had large amounts of both, posing a grave threat to Western Washington,” David. F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division, said in the release. “The Drug Enforcement Administration is thankful to our Federal, state, and local partners who worked with us tirelessly on this case to safeguard the lives of our community endangered by this group.”
This story was originally published May 15, 2024 at 11:18 AM.
