SPokane, WA – In a stunning blow to drug trafficking operations in Eastern Washington, Mexican national Luis Esquivel-Bolanos, alias ‘Colorado,’ was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for orchestrating one of the largest drug rings ever uncovered in rural Washington. The 45-year-old from Guerrero, Mexico, also faces five years of supervised release.
Esquivel-Bolanos was convicted on April 16, 2025, following a jury trial before United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice. His organization, which included his co-defendant Erubey Arciga Medrano, has been linked to the Jalisco Cartel and was responsible for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl across Eastern Washington, including Oroville and the Colville Indian Reservation.
According to Acting United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter, ‘Esquivel-Bolanos’s organization was a major source of illegal narcotics in Washington and Montana. These drugs have caused serious harm across our region, particularly in tribal communities.’
The operation reached as far as central Montana, where the drugs were sold on Tribal land, including the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Rocky Boy’s, Fort Belknap, and Flathead Reservations. Threats of violence were employed by Esquivel-Bolanos’s group to maintain control over their drug-distribution activities.
In a major law enforcement operation on April 19, 2023, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), DEA, North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force, and other federal, state, local, and tribal agencies executed search warrants in Okanogan County, leading to the seizure of approximately 161,000 fentanyl-laced pills, 80 pounds of methamphetamine, 6 pounds of heroin, over 2 pounds of cocaine, and 12 firearms. The drugs were stored within a trailer where Esquivel-Bolanos was living at the time.
Acting United States Attorney Van Marter concluded, ‘Through countless hours of work and coordination between federal, state, and tribal law enforcement, this drug network has been dismantled, and Esquivel-Bolanos is held accountable for his actions.’
Related Federal Cases
- Jalisco Cartel Affiliate Luis Esquivel-Bolanos Sentenced to 19 Years for Eastern Washington Drug Ring · Colorado
- Amgen Pays $71M for Pushing Drugs Off-Label · Washington
- Amgen Inc. $71M Settlement · Washington
- Western Union Scam · Washington
- Charles Williams Sentenced in Bank Robbery Ring Takeover · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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