Thirteen defendants, including 10 in custody, have been indicted in a significant drug trafficking investigation in western Washington.
U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced the indictments, which stem from a brazen scheme to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and alprazolam. The defendants, who brought large loads of drugs to western Washington, also armed themselves with high-powered firearms, according to Gorman.
The lead indictment names ten members of the conspiracy, including Hector Duran Aldaco, 23, of Federal Way, Washington, who is also charged with using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Others named in the indictment include:
Damian Pina-Raymundo, 19, of Enumclaw, Washington
Daniel Moreno, 24, of Federal Way, Washington
Rogelio Pena, 21, of Tacoma
David Padilla, 22, of Kent, Washington
Neldin Licona Rivera, 33, of Seattle
Sebastian Esquivel Rojas, 20, of Federal Way, Washington
A second indictment charges Salina Rose Atsemet, 26, of Renton, Washington for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute it, following a seizure on February 27, 2024, where one kilo of cocaine and two firearms were taken by law enforcement.
In a third indictment, Brian Axel Pedraza Cisneros, 20, and Jose Rodolfo Aguilar Cortes, 21, both of Federal Way, Washington, are indicted for a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, following a seizure of 14 kilos of cocaine and one firearm on March 24, 2024, in Lewis County.
The indictments call for forfeiture of items linked to the criminal conduct, including firearms seized in the case.
Law enforcement seized 59 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 81 kilograms of methamphetamine, 21 kilos of cocaine, and 11 firearms in the investigation prior to the arrests. Today, an additional 12+ kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 14,000 fentanyl pills, a half-kilogram of cocaine, and 42 firearms were seized.
The charges contained in the indictments and criminal complaints 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 effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, which uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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