Tacoma, WA – A sweeping federal investigation has led to the indictment of nine individuals and the arrest of 15 in what authorities are calling a “violent drug trafficking conspiracy” that funneled fentanyl and other narcotics into Washington state communities.
18-Month FBI Investigation Ends in Mass Arrests
The operation was the result of an 18-month-long investigation, including a two-month FBI wiretap, that culminated in 13 search warrants being executed on August 20. Federal and local law enforcement arrested eight of nine suspects named in a major indictment, with seven others taken into custody based on probable cause tied to the searches.
The investigation focused on members of a Tacoma-based gang, the Knoccout Crips, who allegedly coordinated interstate trafficking routes bringing fentanyl from Arizona and Nevada into Pierce County.
“Gang activity has no place in our community,” said Tacoma Police Chief Patti Jackson. “We are here to support young people who feel trapped in that life.”
Key Individuals Indicted
The 10-count federal indictment lists the following individuals charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances:
- Bryant K. Moss Jr., aka “BJ,” 29, Tacoma
- Gary Williams, aka “Fat Boy,” 36, Tacoma
- Dominique Woods, aka “Kane,” 33, Spanaway
- Joshua Logsdon, aka “Bird,” 38, Lakewood
- Michael Lewis, 32, Seattle
- Dallas Martin, 28, Phoenix
- Josaphina Diaz, 30, Tacoma
- Forest Neal, 31, Tacoma
- Genesis Moreau, 25, Vancouver
Additional suspects arrested based on search warrant findings include:
- James Whitaker, 37, Tacoma
- William Young, 47, Yelm
- Bryant Moss Sr., 48, Tacoma
- Jaylin Irish, 30, Tacoma
- Dominique Buffington, 31, Edgewood
- Troy Harris, 38, Tacoma
- An Do, 35, Tacoma
Drug Transport via Airlines and Female Couriers
Court documents reveal that female associates of the gang members were used to transport narcotics by airplane, regularly flying from SeaTac to Phoenix and back. Law enforcement tracked luggage believed to contain drugs, which was then handed off to others in the network, including Bryant Moss and Jaylin Irish.
A wiretap on Moss’s cell phones and a search of his iCloud account uncovered extensive coordination with James Whitaker, who later admitted to hiding drugs in his garage attic as per KOMO News.
Weapons and Narcotics Found During Search
During the raids on August 20, officers found:
- A Glock 43x in Irish’s apartment, unsecured in a child’s room
- Suspected fentanyl pills at Irish’s mother’s residence
- A loaded handgun, money counter, Rolex watches, and branded drug baggies at William Young’s residence
- Baggies with alien head stamps, consistent with others used in the conspiracy
Massive Quantities of Drugs and Weapons Seized
Total seizures from the entire investigation included:
- Fentanyl: 34 kilograms
- Marijuana: 45 kilograms
- Firearms: 9
Seizures during the final 36 hours of the takedown included:
- Fentanyl: 2,683.3 grams
- Methamphetamine: 6,850.7 grams
- Cocaine: 227.9 grams
- Heroin: 40.7 grams
- Marijuana: 27,593.8 grams
- Cash: $111,524.25
- Firearms: 23
Due to the volume of drugs involved, several defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in prison if convicted.
Federal Operation Part of “Summer Heat” Crackdown
This bust was part of the FBI’s “Summer Heat” initiative, targeting violent gang activity and drug trafficking across the region. The effort involved collaboration between:
- FBI South Sound Safe Streets Gang Task Force
- Tacoma and Lakewood Police Departments
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Pierce County Sheriff’s Office
- Washington State Department of Corrections
“Our goal is to stop the flow of dangerous drugs,” said Mike Harrington of FBI Seattle.
Closing Thoughts
With an extensive network dismantled and large quantities of fentanyl seized, authorities say this bust will significantly impact the availability of illicit narcotics in Pierce County and beyond. The case highlights the growing concern over gang-related drug operations and the dangers they pose to local communities.
What’s your reaction to this bust and the scale of fentanyl trafficking in Washington? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
