BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Six people, including four Whatcom County residents, were arrested on federal charges for operating a major drug ring in Whatcom and Skagit Counties.
U.S. Attorney Nick Brown said that law enforcement officers seized 20,000 fentanyl pills, over three pounds of methamphetamine, over $30,000 in cash and seven firearms since the beginning of the investigation.
Enoc Martinez Lopez of Marysville, WA, who operated under the alias “Victor,” was the main supplier of drugs to the other co-conspirators.
Lopez was initially seen earlier this year in April, meeting with defendant Adam Wisniewski of Bellingham at the Silver Reef Casino.
Wisniewski was arrested twice following the meeting, with fentanyl and firearms in his possession both times.
Another suspect, Casey Landis of Bellingham, left a fanny pack containing fentanyl and meth on a counter at the same casino in October.
He was later found to have sent text messages regarding drug deals with Martinez Lopez and other customers.
Corbin Saunders of Bellingham had his car searched after it was observed leaving a known drug residence in Bellingham.
Authorities recovered meth, cocaine and heroin from his car, along with two firearms that Saunders cannot legally possess due to prior felony convictions.
Jesse Witteveen of Maple Falls fled from police on Nov. 1 and tossed a bag of drugs out of his car window before being taken into custody.
A search of his car turned up fentanyl, meth, firearms parts, and ammunition.
Wisniewski, Landis and Witteveen are all charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, while Wisniewski and Saunders are charged with unlawul possession of firearms.
They will make their initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Seattle over the next few days.