By Tim Clifford

The Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Western District of Washington issued a press release on Aug. 6 outlining the details of an outsized drug bust involving state, local and federal agencies. 17 people were arrested within 36 hours, with 53 pounds of narcotics, over $178,000 in cash, and 16 firearms being seized.

Per the SPD Blotter the investigation was begun over 18 months ago to target a “criminal group with connections to California and Mexico” here in King County. Starting on Aug. 5 officers with numerous state, local and federal agencies began raiding and searching 17 locations across the Puget Sound, eventually ramping that number past 20 by the following day. Locations included homes, storage facilities, and over a dozen personal vehicles. 22 people so far have been charged with crimes connected to the investigation and 17 have been arrested.

These search warrants were carried out in Seattle, Renton, Kent, SeaTac, Tukwila, Auburn, Bellevue, Port Orchard and Everett. The narcotics that were seized during the investigation include heroine, meth, and cocaine. Some of those arrested will also be facing money laundering charges.

Court sanctioned wire-taps and video surveillance played a large part in the investigation.

Of those arrested the names of the persons residing in Seattle, Tukwila and SeaTac were: Ricardo Topete, 24, Sendhy Amairany Felix Acevez, 21 and Sandro Criollo, 22. The press release also includes the names of those arrested from the other surrounding cities.

“This investigation is a great example of law enforcement collaboration. The Seattle Police Department will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local partners to eliminate the flow of deadly drugs, such as heroine and methamphetamine to our region,” SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole is quoted as saying in the release.

The investigation was headed by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force and included the aid of officers from Homeland Security, SPD, Port of Seattle Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Snohomish Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, King County Sheriff’s Office, Kitsap Sheriff’s Office, Lynnwood PD, Kent PD, Renton PD, Auburn PD, Tukwila PD, Federal Way PD, and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.

So far all of those given indictments have entered pleas of not guilty and those arrested will have had their first day in court by the end of the day on Aug. 6. Due to the quantity of drugs that were seized many of the suspects face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years in prison.

A trial date has been set for Sept. 28 in Judge Marsha J. Pechman’s court with Assistant United States Attorneys Vince Lombardi and Thomas Woods acting as prosecutors.

Late Thursday evening it was also announced that the DEA is currently hunting for five fugitives who managed to slip away before the busts occurred. The names of the men and women on the run are: Jesus Santillano Aceves, Mary Dixon, Theresa Hill, Juan Aispuro Nunez, and Steven Montgomery.

If anyone has any information regarding their whereabouts they are asked to contact the DEA by text message using TIP411 (847411). When texting the DEA start your message with “TIPDEA” and then write your tip. Information can also be given at DEA.gov.