⏱ 2 min read
Hector Duran Aldaco, a 25-year-old from Federal Way, led a massive drug trafficking ring that flooded Western Washington with large loads of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. Despite multiple law enforcement seizures, the ring persisted, using rental cars and intercity bus lines to transport the drugs. In May 2024, Aldaco and over a dozen co-conspirators were indicted and arrested. On February 2026, Aldaco pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
The scope of the operation was staggering, with Aldaco responsible for attempting to distribute 85 kilograms of methamphetamine, 30 kilograms of fentanyl, and 2.5 kilograms of cocaine. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies worked to dismantle the ring, and their efforts paid off with Aldaco’s sentencing to 130 months in prison.
U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson handed down the sentence, citing the massive quantity of controlled substances involved. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd noted that Aldaco’s conduct, including his possession of high-power firearms, warranted the lengthy sentence. The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, W. Mike Herrington, warned that those who engage in similar activities will face serious consequences.
The sentencing serves as a reminder of the dangers of drug trafficking and the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat it. Aldaco’s case highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between agencies to protect local communities from the harm caused by addictive and dangerous drugs.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Drug Trafficking
- Defendant: Washington
- Location: WA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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