Ten arrested in western Washington drug, gun trafficking bust
“Our entire region is safer today because of the efforts of DEA and our partners, who literally risked their lives to confront this threat to our communities.”
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“Our entire region is safer today because of the efforts of DEA and our partners, who literally risked their lives to confront this threat to our communities.”
Ten people were arrested this week following a year-long investigation into three interrelated drug and gun trafficking conspiracies that spanned Western Washington, federal authorities announced Wednesday. The coordinated operation was led by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Seattle Police Department (SPD).
The arrests, made on Tuesday, stem from indictments and criminal complaints charging the suspects with trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, as well as dozens of illegally possessed firearms. The defendants began appearing in the US District Court in Seattle on Tuesday.
“These defendants were trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin on the streets of Western Washington,” said US Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. “These drugs take a heavy toll on our community. Worse yet, this group trafficked in dozens of firearms, some of them high-powered assault-style weapons. Yesterday alone, law enforcement seized 34 firearms.”
Investigators say the group operated from Lewis County to Snohomish County, moving both narcotics and weapons. DEA Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge David F. Reames called it a “heavily armed Transnational Criminal Organization.”
“Our entire region is safer today because of the efforts of DEA and our partners, who literally risked their lives to confront this threat to our communities,” Reames said.
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes also praised the multi-agency collaboration. “This violent organization not only trafficked dangerous drugs but was responsible for putting firearms on our city streets,” he said. “I’m thankful for the great work of our Seattle Police officers and our federal partners.”
Seven of the defendants were arrested on indictments:
Three others were arrested on criminal complaints:
Search warrants were executed at 12 locations across Western Washington, including a largely undeveloped “stash property” in Centralia linked to Zuniga. There, agents found 25 kilograms of suspected fentanyl powder, more than 90,000 fentanyl pills, and two dozen firearms.
Zuniga was arrested in his vehicle with 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl, while additional heroin, fentanyl, and a loaded .45-caliber pistol were seized from his Sammamish home.
In total, law enforcement recovered approximately 100,000 fentanyl pills, 34 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 3.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, nearly 1 kilogram of heroin, 8.7 kilograms of cocaine, 34 firearms, and $40,000 in cash.
The investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative targeting transnational criminal organizations, cartel activity, and violent crime. The program integrates resources from the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) to coordinate federal and local efforts nationwide.
In addition to the DEA and SPD, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) played a role in the case. Several tactical teams participated in the October 28 operation, including SWAT units from Seattle, Snohomish County, Washington State Patrol, Centralia Police, and King County, along with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s BORTAC unit.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorneys C. Andrew Colasurdo and Joseph Silvio.
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