Dozens Arrested In Raids Throughout Puget Sound Area
It's all the result of a two-year investigation stretching from Seattle to the Mexican border. The raids were coordinated by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and involved local, county, and state police agencies. Some 300 officers participated in raids this week in King County.
The results were shown off at the Seattle DEA headquarters Friday. That display included 35 kilograms of cocaine and pounds of black tar heroin and methamphetamine. Also seized were guns and over a million dollars in cash and property.
"This is a major operation that will make the city safer," said Rod Benson, agent-in-charge of the Seattle DEA office. "During the last two days, more than 300 law enforcement officers throughout the Puget Sound region arrested 91 individuals."
Local and federal agents say those arrested are part of a Mexican drug organization which brought drugs across at regular border crossings.
Some of the tricks to get the drugs across the border included interior concealed compartments in cars which can be opened only by a series of complicated moves; e.g.: Depressing the brake, turning on a signal director, and shifting at the same time.
Agent Benson also showed a water bottle with water at the top and bottom. Hidden under the label was a container which could hold a half pound of heroin.
In homes, agents found money stored in things like a Quaker Oats container. Some drugs were hidden in containers of food for children. There were children in several of what police say were drug-houses.
"During the execution of the 40 search warrants we found 20 children," Benson said. The children have been relocated with relatives, whenever possible.
Despite the police feeling this will make a dent in the local drug trade, the King County Bar Associations drug policy project director told KOMO 4 News "The more likely impact will be an increase in street drug prices."
And University of Washington researcher Caleb Banta-Green predicts that addicts will switch drugs until new supplies are available. "If they're a meth user, they may be able to switch to cocaine and vice versa; heroin (used) they can switch to prescription opiates," she said.
Police admit it's difficult to stop drugs. But Benson said there is always a positive with each bust. "Taking drugs like this off the street saves lives," he said. "There are people dying every day from drug abuse, this will save lives by taking drugs off the street."
Among those arrested were members of a Seattle street drug ring know as "The Americanos." Seattle police say they have targeted the group for eight years but until now they have been able to arrest only individual members, rather than the leadership.