Federal, state and local law enforcement officials executed search warrants on locations in Bellevue, Seattle, Renton and other local communities on Wednesday, Aug. 5 for the culmination of a 18-month long long drug trafficking investigation.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officials seized more than 29 pounds of meth, more than 18 pounds of heroin, 6 pounds of cocaine, approximately $178,000 in cash and sixteen firearms, including five assault rifles.
“Heroin, and methamphetamine continue to wreak havoc in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes in a statement. “I commend the law enforcement professionals who investigated this drug trafficking organization, taking large loads of drugs off the street, while also gathering key evidence to make these arrests and prosecutions possible.”
Beginning early on Wednesday, Aug. 5, teams of local, state and federal law enforcement agents searched over 20 locations across the Puget Sound region. It was the culmination of an 18-month-long investigation of a criminal group with ties to California and Mexico.
“This investigation is a great example of law enforcement collaboration,” said Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole. “The Seattle Police Department will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local partners to eliminate the flow of deadly drugs, such as heroin and methamphetamine to our region.”
During the investigation, court authorized wire-taps and extensive surveillance was conducted on alleged members of the group.
Law enforcement officers served search warrants on seventeen residences, three storage facilities and more than a dozen vehicles tied to the criminal group. The facilities were located in Auburn, Bellevue, SeaTac, Seattle, Tukwila, Renton, Port Orchard, and Everett.
An indictment and criminal complaints have been filed charging 22 defendants with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances including methamphetamine and heroin. Some of the defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
No suspects were arrested in Bellevue.
Some of those arrested made their initial appearances on the indictments on Aug. 5 in U.S. District Court in Seattle. One additional defendant was scheduled to appear at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug, 6.
Due to the drug quantities involved, some of the defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years in prison.
The defendants who have already appeared in court at this time entered pleas of “not guilty”, and their trial was set for Sept. 28.
