Seattle, WA — A massive drug and gun trafficking ring operating across Western Washington has been dismantled following a year-long investigation involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, officials announced Wednesday.
On Tuesday, October 28, authorities arrested 10 suspects accused of distributing fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, while also trafficking dozens of firearms, including high-powered assault-style weapons.
The coordinated operation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Seattle Police Department, resulted in the seizure of a large cache of drugs, cash, and weapons from multiple locations across the region.
Massive Seizures Across 12 Locations
According to investigators, law enforcement officers recovered:
- 34 kilograms of fentanyl powder
- 100,000 fentanyl pills
- 8.7 kilograms of cocaine
- 3.7 kilograms of methamphetamine
- Nearly one kilogram of heroin
- Two dozen firearms
- $40,000 in cash
Authorities said the narcotics were stashed at 12 different locations, including a vehicle, a home in Sammamish, and an undeveloped “stash property” in Centralia, as per Fox Seattle.
“These defendants were trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin on the streets of western Washington,” said U.S. 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 weapons. Yesterday alone, law enforcement seized 34 firearms.”
The Suspects and Their Roles
The 10 individuals arrested in the multi-county sweep were identified as:
- Luis Humberto Lamas-Guzman, 25, of Lynnwood, Washington
- Eduardo Villavicencio-Salido, 44, of Marysville, Washington
- Silvestre Ramos Martinez, 35, of Everett, Washington
- Jose Navarro Hernandez (“Robert”), 46, of Marysville, Washington
- Jose Manuel Ramos Ibarra (“Kora”), 28, of Everett, Washington
- Marisol Perez-Diaz, 23, of Auburn, Washington
- Jordan Martinez Gamez, 23, of Auburn, Washington
- Jose Isabel Sandoval Zuniga, 30, of Sammamish, Washington
- Roni Licona Escoto, 56, of Seattle, Washington
- Edgar Rivas Robles, 33, of Centralia, Washington
Officials say the suspects were part of a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) that operated from Lewis County to Snohomish County, distributing narcotics and firearms throughout Western Washington.
Operation Take Back America
This takedown is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at disrupting drug cartels, human traffickers, and transnational criminal organizations while strengthening public safety.
“This heavily armed Transnational Criminal Organization threatened all of Western Washington by trafficking guns and fentanyl from Lewis County to Snohomish County,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division. “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.”
Broad Law Enforcement Collaboration
The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) also played a key role in tracking the group’s financial activities. SWAT teams from North Sound Metro, King County, Snohomish County, Washington State Patrol, Centralia Police, Valley SWAT, and Customs & Border Patrol assisted in making the arrests.
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes commended the joint effort, saying, “This violent organization not only trafficked dangerous drugs but was responsible for putting firearms on our city streets. I’m thankful for the great work of our Seattle Police officers and our federal partners.”
Western Washington Communities Safer
Authorities say the arrests have significantly reduced the flow of fentanyl and illegal firearms into local communities, calling the bust one of the most significant regional operations in recent years.
The investigation remains ongoing, and more arrests are possible as agents continue tracking the group’s financial and supply networks.
Do you feel law enforcement efforts like this are helping to curb drug and gun trafficking in your community Share your thoughts in the comments below.
