Spokane Area Law Enforcement Agencies Receive $163,500 in Forfeiture Funds

Washing-ton law enforcement agencies received $163,500 in forfeiture funds from a regional drug trafficking prosecution, it was announced last week. The funds were awarded to the City of Yakima Police Department and the Law Enforcement Against Drugs Task Force (LEAD) in recognition of their significant contributions to Operation Rocky Bear Paw.

The operation targeted a regional drug trafficking organization operating in Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The principal drug distribution activities occurred in the Grandview, WA, and Havre, MT, areas. The organization was the main supplier of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana to the Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap Indian reservations in Montana.

The investigation and law enforcement action began in 2015, with indictments issued and defendants arrested in 2016. The last of 11 defendants was sentenced in late 2018, and the final assets forfeited were liquidated in 2019. All of the defendants were prosecuted in Washington.

U.S. Attorney William D. Hyslop presented $81,783.50 to each law enforcement agency to be used for further law enforcement purposes. The asset forfeiture funds are the result of Operation Rocky Bear Paw, which targeted a regional drug trafficking organization operating in Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

The operation resulted in the successful prosecution of 11 members of the Cervantes regional drug trafficking organization. As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized 10 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, $10,338.00 in U.S. Currency, two firearms, and numerous rounds of ammunition from defendant Rafael Cervantes’ residence in Grandview, WA.

The United States forfeited and sold Cervantes’ Yakima County residence because it facilitated the DTO and was purchased with drug proceeds. Pursuant to applicable regulations, an 80% share of the forfeiture proceeds from the sale of Cervantes’ residence are being shared with the Yakima Police Department and LEAD in recognition of their significant contributions to the Operation.

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