A bevy of federal, state and local law enforcement organizations — including Lewis County’s Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team — helped put a dent in a multi-state drug trafficking network led by Mexican cartels, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Over Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, more than 50 buildings and 35 vehicles were searched in connection to this multi-agency operation. The press release includes a list of 30 people who were arrested, including Gregory D. Werber, 56, owner of a cryptocurrency business in Manhattan Beach, California used to launder drug proceeds.
The organization was active in Washington state, New York, Arizona, Oregon, California, Tennessee and Utah, according to the press release, and was responsible for the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and meth.
“Overdoses involving fentanyl are growing at an alarming rate in Washington state,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes in the press release. “We are committed to bringing all needed resources to identifying and prosecuting groups that distribute this deadly poison in our communities. I commend the Drug Enforcement Administration and their federal, state and local law enforcement partners who developed the evidence that led to the arrests that occurred today.”
In western Washington, the group was allegedly distributing illicit drugs in Pierce, Kitsap, King, Skagit and Snohomish counties. Lewis County JNET was listed as a participating law enforcement agency — one of many. More than 400 officers were involved in the operation, which started 18 months ago with drug seizures by the Bremerton Police Department.
More recently, law enforcement seized 13 pounds of heroin from the engine compartment of a semi-truck driven by a frequent smuggler for the ring. On Thursday, an additional 4 kilos of heroin and 39 guns were seized.
The investigation was helmed by the DEA Tacoma Resident Office and the Bremerton Police Department, with significant help from the Tacoma Narcotics Enforcement Team, Special Operations Division, Chantilly, Virginia and Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
“An agency the size of Bremerton can impact crime on a larger scale when it is able to partner with agencies like the DEA,” said Bremerton Chief of Police James Burchett. “I am very proud of the hard work and dedication of all the officers and agents that made this operation a reality.”
Additionally, officers, over the course of the investigation, seized thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills tainted with fentanyl, a powerful and deadly opioid. Following one of the seizures, Washington State Patrol troopers were treated for accidental exposure.
“The dangerous pills containing fentanyl flowing through this pipeline by this Western Washington distribution network has been shut down,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis in the press release. “Those profiting from pushing illicit opioids such as fentanyl and heroin into our most vulnerable communities will be met with a significant law enforcement response.”
The Washington State Department of Health announced recently that fentanyl has been linked to a 70 percent increase in overdose deaths in the state.
