Marcos Araujo Urrieta, Heroin Distribution Conspiracy, Washington 2012

TACOMA, Wash. – A shocking case of heroin distribution conspiracy has come to an end in Tacoma, Washington. Marcos Araujo Urrieta, the 47-year-old owner of Zapateria Tarascos, a western wear store located at 924 E. 72nd Street in Tacoma, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in the heroin distribution ring.

According to authorities, Urrieta was arrested on September 17, 2011, after an investigation by the Lakewood Police Department and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office revealed his role in the conspiracy. He pleaded guilty in September 2012 and was subsequently sentenced by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers found approximately four pounds of heroin and $250,000 in cash at Urrieta’s store. The cash was later confirmed to be proceeds from both drug sales and the sales of store merchandise.

Urrieta admitted to using his store as a front to distribute heroin, with a co-conspirator sent to pick up six to eight kilos of the substance on his behalf. The stash house, located in Tacoma, was also searched by law enforcement, revealing the extent of the operation.

The case was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, with supplemental federal funding provided to the federal and state agencies involved. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tacoma Resident Office also participated in the investigation.

Urrieta’s conviction marks a significant blow to the heroin trade in Tacoma and serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of involvement in organized crime. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Thomas, Marc Perez, and Jeffrey Backhus.

Urrieta’s sentence is a testament to the dedication and hard work of law enforcement agencies in the region. His 10-year prison term is a mandatory minimum sentence, reflecting the severity of the crime.

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