12-7-2018
BURLINGTON, Wash. — An 18-month, multi-state investigation of an international drug trafficking network resulted in the arrest of dozens of people operating across the nation, including areas as close as Skagit County.
Over the last few days more than 400 federal, state and local law enforcement officers executed 51 federal warrants, arresting at least 29 people in Washington.
The Department of Justice says the organization was run by drug cartel members in Mexico, smuggling and selling heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and meth while using a cryptocurrency business in California to launder money.
The investigation began after drug seizures by Bremerton Police.
Burlington residents that were arrested and charged include Jaime Heredia Castro, Jose Luis Sierra Barrientos, and Orlando Barajas.