Seattle
Fifteen people were arrested Tuesday throughout the Puget Sound region and in California following an 18-month investigation of a drug trafficking organization tied to the CJNG cartel in Mexico, officials announced.
“This cartel is known as a violent and prolific drug trafficking group. I commend the DEA-led task force for taking a bite out of its drug distribution and money laundering networks,” said U.S. Attorney Brian Moran. “Over the course of this investigation law enforcement seized more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine and ten pounds of heroin, and agents and officers continued their work despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Tuesday, agents seized: twenty pounds of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, 200 fentanyl pills, nine firearms, and more than $250,000 in cash.
Previously, during the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 100 pounds of meth, various quantities of cocaine, heroin, 1500 fentanyl pills, and six firearms.
The indictment charges conspiracy, possession, attempted possession and distribution of methamphetamine and heroin, as well as a money-laundering conspiracy.
These are the nineteen defendants named in the grand jury indictment:
- Alan GOMEZ MARENTES; 35, Los Angeles, California, and Tukwila, Washington
- Juan Antonio GONZALEZ CARRILLO; 31, Gardena, California
- Luis MAGANA RAMIREZ; 32, Fife, Washington
- Jose Elias BARBOSA CEBALLOS; 35, Port Orchard, Washington
- Jose Daniel ESPINOZA; 33, Renton, Washington
- Estefhany COREA MENDOZA; 27, Burien, Washington
- Adrian IZAZAGA MARTINEZ; 29, Kent, Washington
- Jorge MONDRAGON; 24, Kent, Washington
- Benjamin FUENTES; 28, Renton, Washington
- Luis ZAVALZA SANCHEZ; 31, Seattle, Washington
- Alysha Marie JONES; 27, Shelton, Washington
- Armando FIERRO PONCE; 26, Renton, Washington
- Amanda MEYER; 35, Kent, Washington
- Michael WOOD; 45, Port Orchard, Washington
- Luis CASTILLO BARRAGAN; 32, Kent, Washington
- Efrain LUNA RODRIGUEZ; 21, Maywood, California
- Julian PINEDA CASILLAS; 33, Victorville, California
- Blanca MEDINA; 36, Los Angeles, California, and Tukwila, Washington
- Ruth GOMEZ MARENTES; 34, Kent, Washington
In all, fifteen search warrants were served in the Puget Sound region, and four were served today in California.