SEATTLE, WA – Two brothers from Lynnwood, Washington, are facing a ten-count federal indictment for allegedly flooding North Seattle parks with heroin and then funneling the dirty money back home to Ecuador. FREDY RAMON GUTAMA-GUTAMA, 25, and FABIAN MARTIN GUTAMA-GUTAMA, 20, were busted after a months-long investigation revealed a brazen operation built on peddling poison near playgrounds.
U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes didn’t mince words, stating, “Heroin is wreaking havoc across every kind of community in western Washington– rural, suburban and urban.” According to the indictment, between May 2016 and January 2017, the Gutama-Gutama brothers were regularly observed making drug sales around parks in North Seattle. But what’s particularly disturbing is how they attempted to evade law enforcement: by stashing their heroin supply in public places, sometimes dangerously close to where children play.
Investigators discovered the duo repeatedly sold heroin to a confidential informant, and then wired the cash proceeds both across state lines and directly to Ecuador. One particularly chilling detail: a significant stash of heroin was found hidden in a rockery near the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center park and playground in the Roosevelt neighborhood. Sales were also documented at Green Lake Park and Northacres Park. The goal? Reduce their risk of being caught with a substantial amount of the deadly drug on their person, authorities say.
FREDY RAMON GUTAMA-GUTAMA is facing the brunt of the charges: conspiracy to distribute heroin; conspiracy to commit money laundering; five counts of distribution of heroin; and three counts of distribution of heroin with intent to distribute. His brother, FABIAN MARTIN GUTAMA-GUTAMA, is charged with both conspiracy counts, three counts of distribution of heroin, and two counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Both men are scheduled to make their initial appearance in Seattle federal court today.
This wasn’t a solo operation. The case was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which provides supplemental federal funding. Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Vogel and Kate Vaughan are prosecuting the case. The feds are throwing the book at these guys, but proving the charges will be another matter.
It’s crucial to remember that these are merely allegations at this stage. As with all criminal cases, both FREDY RAMON GUTAMA-GUTAMA and FABIAN MARTIN GUTAMA-GUTAMA are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments. The streets of Seattle are already choked with addiction; taking these alleged dealers off the corner is a small step towards cleaning up the mess, but it’s a step nonetheless.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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