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FBI and DEA seize over 300k fentanyl pills & over 1k pounds of meth in WA and CA

Eleven people were arrested in Washington and California on Tuesday, in connection to three drug trafficking groups responsible for trafficking more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine and 330,000 fentanyl pills.

The two indictments charge 11 people after a search and seizure of 14 locations in Washington and California, where two kilos of fentanyl, 4.5 kilos of heroin, ten pounds of methamphetamine and 67 firearms were seized. Law enforcement also seized high-capacity magazines, thousands of rounds of ammunition, two sets of body armor and a ballistic shield.

In September, law enforcement also seized 1,016 pounds of meth, 9 kilos of fentanyl powder, 330,000 fentanyl pills, 25 kilos of cocaine and 15.5 kilos of heroin.

Six additional people were arrested and indicted in September.

“These individuals were bringing large loads of meth, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from Mexico across the border and up I-5 to the Pacific Northwest,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “Even when an RV loaded with drugs was pulled off the highway and seized by law enforcement, they weren’t deterred. The wiretap revealed various organizations continued to recruit drivers and vehicles to transport their drugs throughout our District.”

Law enforcement also seized 43 guns and more than $1 million in cash.

“Dangerous people are filling our streets with guns and drugs — and people are dying,” said Seattle Police Chief Adrian Z. Diaz. “The entire SPD, including its officers and investigators, have made getting firearms and illegal narcotics off our streets a top priority. We know this monthslong investigation, arrests, and seizures will result in lives saved. With more than 350,000 fentanyl pills taken by SPD’s narcotics unit alone this year and shootings in Seattle up 29% in 2022, we thank our local and federal partners for their help in prioritizing this lifesaving work.”

Those named in the indictments unsealed Tuesday include:

  • Jose Paleo, 29, of La Mirada, California
  • Octavio Guzman, 24, of Huntington Park, California
  • Glauco Guardado Rodriguez, 25, of Seattle
  • Araceli Salas, 30, of Maywood, California
  • Maria Rangel Aguilar, 44, of Huntington Park, California
  • Miguel Thomas, 33, of Tukwila, Washington
  • Tad Fulton, 48, of Seattle
  • Ryan Holmquist, 34, of Issaquah, Washington
  • Timothy Hursh, 38, of SeaTac, Washington
  • Ryan Terry, 44, of Duval, Washington
  • Abel Cruz, 32, of Des Moines, Washington

Six people were also arrested on Sept. 21, 2022:

  • Agustin Gutierrez Valencia, 32, of Kent, Washington
  • Daniel Vazquez Arroyo, 32, of Kent, Washington
  • Rosalio Reynoso Arellano, 51, of Los Angeles
  • Ernesto Casillas, 46, of Los Angeles
  • Benigno Hernandez aka Ivan Santos Arellano, 32, of Kent, Washington
  • Jesus Toledo Pardo, 56, of SeaTac, Washington

Two additional people were arrested on criminal complaints Tuesday:

  • Luis Valenzuela-Haro, 32, of Seattle
  • Michael Kinzel, 37, of Renton, Washington

The investigations were a part of an operation that included the FBI, DEA, Seattle police, Customs and Border Protection, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and Homeland Security.