Criminal Enterprises
The Criminal Enterprises Unit was formed in May 2002. The eight experienced prosecutors identify, investigate, and prosecute organized criminal groups operating in Western Washington and involved in both drug and non-drug criminal enterprises. Emphasis is place on multi-agency participation, extensive financial investigations, use of electronic surveillance, and close coordination with other U.S. Attorney's Offices conducting similar investigations.
The Unit's attorneys work with agents from the DEA, FBI, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ATF, and other federal agencies. The crimes investigated include drug trafficking, gambling, extortion, alien smuggling, and other federal offenses committed by criminal organizations. Some investigations arise from the 13 drug task forces operating in Western Washington and funded by Justice Department Byrne Grants. All of the drug investigations are approved and partially funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, a federal multi-agency investigative effort.
"Operation Sanctioned Sins" – effort to make meth manufacturing chemicals less available