Federal agents and local police struck a significant blow against cartel-driven drug and gun trafficking in the Pacific Northwest late last month, arresting a Mexican national tied to the Sinaloa Cartel. The teams seized more than 100,000 fentanyl pills, 25 kilos of fentanyl powder, and 34 firearms in a sweeping multi-agency raid led by the DEA and Seattle Police—with tactical support from Border Patrol’s elite BORTAC unit.
Border Patrol agents assisted in the execution of a search warrant tied to a law enforcement operation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Seattle Police Department that resulted in the arrest of a Sinaloa Cartel member and the seizure of 25 kilos of fentanyl and 90,000 fentanyl tablets. Authorities arrested nine others in the late October law enforcement operation.
The operation took place on October 28 and led to ten arrests that are related to three significant and interrelated drug and gun trafficking conspiracies, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington. The operation resulting in the seizure of fentanyl, more than two dozen firearms, and those suspected of coordinating the trafficking of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and weapons was the culmination of a year-long investigation by law enforcement officers in the Seattle area.
Those arrested during the operation include one unidentified suspect directly connected to the Sinaloa Cartel, according to United States Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks, who posted about his agency’s role in the late October operation. In the Saturday post on X, Banks writes, “One target, a Mexican national linked to the ruthless Sinaloa Cartel is now in custody along with 9 others. Multiple firearms seized, approximately 100,00 fentanyl pills and 34 kgs. of fentanyl powder, and other narcotics were also seized in this operation. All suspects are now in custody facing federal charges for conspiracy to distribute firearms and narcotics.”
The Border Patrol’s BORTAC tactical unit assisted other law enforcement agency SWAT teams in executing arrest and search warrants related to the investigation.
In a statement issued at the conclusion of the operation, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington Charles Neil Floyd commented on the arrests and seizure of narcotics and weapons, saying, “These defendants were trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin on the streets of western Washington. These drugs take a heavy toll on our community.”
Specifically, on the issue of the weapons seizures, Floyd added, “Worse yet, this group trafficked in dozens of firearms – some of them high powered assault style weapons. Yesterday alone, law enforcement seized 34 firearms.”
Search warrants were served at twelve different locations, including a largely undeveloped “stash property” linked to one suspect in Centralia, Washington. The house contained 25 kilos of suspected fentanyl powder, more than 90,000 fentanyl pills, and two dozen firearms.
In August, DEA Seattle announced another action targeting Sinaloa Cartel operations in Washington. Law enforcement teams disrupted a drug distribution ring using semi-trucks to transport massive loads of drugs.
Randy Clark is a 32-year veteran of the United States Border Patrol. Before his retirement, he served as the Division Chief for Law Enforcement Operations, directing operations for nine Border Patrol Stations within the Del Rio, Texas, Sector. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @RandyClarkBBTX.
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