Seattle – In a major blow to the drug trade in Western Washington, two alleged members of a Mexico-connected drug trafficking organization were sentenced today. Jose Rodolfo Aguilar Cortes, 23, from Federal Way, was handed a five-year sentence for his role in transporting large quantities of cocaine. Auburn’s Alex Ortiz, 21, received a 20-month sentence after being convicted as a stash house operator.
Cortes faced charges related to the seizure of 14 kilos of cocaine on March 24, 2024. He was identified as one of the drivers responsible for bringing drugs from California to the northwest. The investigation yielded significant seizures, including 81 kilograms of methamphetamine, 49 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 15 kilograms of cocaine, and three pounds of marijuana.
At Ortiz’s sentencing, Judge Kymberly K. Evanson highlighted the gravity of the crime, noting that it involved dangerous drugs and a substantial number of firearms. During a search warrant executed on May 14, 2024, investigators seized nearly $6,000 in cash, eight firearms, and various ammunition magazines from Ortiz’s residence.
Cortes, who is a citizen of Mexico, will also face deportation after serving his prison term, following which he will be subject to four years of supervised release. Ortiz was sentenced to five years of supervised release post-prison and recommended for residential drug treatment during his incarceration.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the DEA, FBI, ATF, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant United States Attorneys Casey Conzatti and Elyne Vaught prosecuted the case.
This operation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a multi-agency approach aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations. For more information on OCDETF, visit https://www.justice.gov/ocdef.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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