Two men who led a violent drug trafficking organization distributing meth, heroin and cocaine in the Seattle area were convicted of numerous counts of drug trafficking and one count of money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes announced the guilty verdicts against SON V. TRAN, 29, and TUAN A VU, 50, both of Seattle, after a seven-day jury trial. The two-year investigation led by the FBI’s Seattle Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF) and Bellevue Police Department’s Eastside Narcotics Task Force (ENTF) revealed that the organization distributed cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine across a wide swath of the greater Seattle metro area.
According to court records and testimony at trial, law enforcement authorities used a variety of tools, including telephone wire taps and confidential sources, to infiltrate and interdict this drug organization. The investigation determined that the organization distributed approximately 15-20 kilos of cocaine, 10-15 kilos of heroin and 5 kilos of methamphetamine per month. In addition, on multiple occasions, members of the drug trafficking organization were arrested with firearms.
During the investigation, law enforcement seized drugs and cash, including a September 2014 seizure of two kilos of cocaine, one pound of methamphetamine and $14,000 cash from a rental car. In March 2015, investigators seized more than $32,000 from a hidden compartment in another vehicle. At the end of the investigation, additional drugs and more than $100,000 in cash were seized from TRAN and VU’s residences.
Drug activity associated with the organization occurred over a wide geographic area, with many drug sales occurring in the ‘Jungle’ homeless encampment, as well as at homes and near businesses in Seattle, Renton, Shoreline and Kent. The drug transactions took place in areas ranging from the parking lot of Viet Wah supermarket near South Jackson Street, the parking lot of Dick’s Drive-In on NE 45th Street, the parking lot of a gas station on Beacon Hill, and at a motel in Tukwila.
Both Son V. Tran and Tuan A. Vu were convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Son V. Tran was also convicted of fifteen separate counts of distribution of controlled substance or possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute offenses. Tuan A Vu was similarly convicted of eleven separate distribution of controlled substance or possession of controlled substance offenses. Both men face up to life in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour on August 16, 2016.
Additionally, twelve other defendants have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced to prison for their roles in the organization. These defendants include Phuong A. Nguyen, aka ‘P,’ 42, of Kent, Washington, who was sentenced to 12 years; Brieanna K. Carlson, 27, of Seattle, Washington, who was sentenced to three years; and Yen T. Vu, 55, of Seattle, who was sentenced to three years.
The investigation revealed that the organization distributed a significant amount of narcotics in the Seattle area, posing a threat to public safety. The convictions of Son V. Tran and Tuan A. Vu are a significant blow to the organization and demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement to dismantling and prosecuting violent drug trafficking organizations.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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