United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SEATTLE – Eleven people have been indicted by a grand jury sitting in the Western District of Washington for a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy.  One of those indicted is a rap artist from Snohomish County, Washington, who discussed his drug trafficking activity in a documentary video.  All of those in custody appeared in U.S. District Court in Western Washington on December 16, 2020.

“This drug trafficking group continued to bring large loads of drugs up to Western Washington even after law enforcement seized nearly 50 pounds of methamphetamine from one carload,” said U.S. Attorney Moran.  “This investigation uncovered threats of violence and retaliation which made it critical that law enforcement move now on this drug ring.”

“Overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl and methamphetamine continue to rise at an alarming rate in the Puget Sound region,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino.  “It is critically essential that we continue to focus our efforts against these violent criminal organizations most responsible for injecting these dangerous drugs into our communities.”

According to the indictment, the conspirators distributed large amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, smuggling the drugs into the U.S. from Mexico and then transporting them up the west coast for distribution in Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties.  Two of the defendants were also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering for their activities with the drug proceeds.

Those indicted include:

Cesar Valdez-Sanudo, 35, of Arlington, Washington

Omar Vazquez-Limon, 36, of Kent, Washington

Aaron Alarcon-Castaneda, aka “Sobrino,” 35, of Chino, California

Jose Luis Arredondo-Valdez, aka “Primo,” 25, of Lake Stevens, Washington

Yvette Y. Olguin, 37, of Everett, Washington

Fausto Paz, “Gordito,” 38, of Ontario, California

Gabriel Vazquez-Ruiz, 34, of Bothell, Washington.

Steven R. Delvecchio, 63, of Snohomish, Washington

Tracy Hawkins, 53, of Gold Bar, Washington

Wayne A. J. Frisby, aka “Mac Wayne,” 36, of Snohomish County, Washington

Keith A. Silverson, 36, of Tacoma, Washington

Since the wiretap investigation began, law enforcement has seized large amounts of drugs including a 49-pound load of methamphetamine that was coming to Washington State from California.  Today alone, law enforcement seized 18 pounds of heroin, 25 pounds of methamphetamine, as many as 15,000 fentanyl pills, more than $150,000 in cash drug proceeds and 23 firearms.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tacoma Residence Office in partnership with Tahoma Narcotics Enforcement Team (TNET), Kent Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, SeaTac Police Department, Tacoma Police Department, Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force (SRDTF), the Skagit County Sheriff's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  In addition these law enforcement agencies assisted with the arrests and search warrants executed today:  DEA Seattle Special Response Team, Seattle Field Division Office Groups, DEA Bellingham Resident Office, DEA Yakima Resident Office, DEA Spokane Division Office, DEA Riverside Resident Office, Riverside Sheriff's Department, Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team, Pierce County SWAT, Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, Bremerton Special Operations Group, Washington State Patrol SWAT, Everett Police Department, Everett Police Department Violet Offender Task Force, Internal Revenue Service, Snohomish County SWAT and TNET, which is comprised of Lakewood, Puyallup, Auburn, and Kent Police Departments, the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, and the Washington State Department of Corrections.  The investigation was supported by the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and the DEA Special Operations Division.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amy Jaquette and Marci Ellsworth.