Twelve Arrested in Two Year Investigation of Major Meth and Heroin Trafficking Organization

             A two year investigation of a major drug trafficking ring in King and Snohomish counties culminated in 12 arrests today following the unsealing of a grand jury indictment and filing of criminal complaints against two dozen defendants, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.  Over the two years of the Drug Enforcement Administration led investigation, law enforcement seized more than 50 pounds of heroin and more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine.  The organization moved significant amounts of cash as part of their trafficking.  To date more than $1,118,000 has been seized by law enforcement.

            “Heroin and methamphetamine remain significant threats to the health of our communities.  This group was transporting and distributing large quantities of both drugs up through California and into King and Snohomish Counties,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.  “I commend the DEA-led task force that worked diligently to identify those in this distribution chain so that they can be held accountable for spreading these poisons in the Puget Sound region.”

            Early this morning law enforcement served search warrants on ten locations in King and Snohomish Counties.  Today alone law enforcement seized 14 pounds of heroin, 43 pounds of methamphetamine, a large sum of cash and eight handguns.

“Heroin and methamphetamine seizures have skyrocketed in the Pacific Northwest and are troubling,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis.  “Today, we crippled a transnational criminal organization with tentacles in our area.  We remain focused on removing those who supply narcotics to the violent distribution networks destroying our communities.”

           Those arrested will make their initial appearance today at 2:00 in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Donohue.  The defendants in custody today include:

Alfredo Enciso-Begines, 27, Bothell, WA

Jose Manuel Estrada-Contreras, 33, Marysville, WA

Francisco Javier Munoz-Contreras, 26, Marysville, WA

Adrian Ortega-Gonzalez, 20, Marysville, WA

Jesse Price, 30, Stanwood, WA

Tracy Raley, 34, Marysville, WA

Marlen Ravelo, 47, Port Angeles, WA

Luis Zamudio-Rivera, 37, Marysville, WA

Maria Polonia-Serrano, 57, Fresno, CA

Gladys Morales-Garibay, 26, Marysville, WA

Michael Peterman, 34, Everett, WA

Juan Gerardo Ruiz, 30, Marysville, WA

            The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved.

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in conjunction with the Seattle Police Department and the Snohomish Regional Drug and Gang Task Force.  The investigation was supported by the Internal Revenue Service, King County Sheriff’s Office, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Everett Police Department and the Marysville Police Department. Additional assistance was provided by the Centralia Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Port of Seattle Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Karyn Johnson and Andy Colasurdo.