The man once credited as the “primary source of fentanyl” in the Tri-Cities will soon be heading to federal prison.
David Mendoza Ayala led a large-scale drug distribution ring from his Horn Rapids apartment. He hid behind “straw renters” who he enlisted to rent garages, storage units and vehicles in their name instead of his to hide his drug dealing operation.
But after years of investigation by federal and local agents, including surveillance, search warrants and even sorting through trash, the 30-year-old was convicted this month in U.S. District Court in Richland.
A federal jury found Mendoza Ayala guilty of possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl after a four-day trial that ended Aug. 13.
The conviction carries a minimum of 10 years in prison up to life, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sentencing by U.S. Judge Mary Dimke is scheduled for Nov. 12.
Mendoza Ayala was a central figure in fentanyl trafficking throughout the Tri-Cities, according to court documents. He brought drugs up from California, and worked with his brother, who also trafficked drugs. His brother was previously sentenced.
A search of Mendoza Ayala’s properties led to the seizure of more than 50,000 fentanyl pills, substantial amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine, about $10,000 in cash and more than a dozen guns, including AR-style rifles. Investigators also seized 13 vehicles.
Investigators also reported finding two small kids in one apartment that was searched.
“Mr. Mendoza Ayala showed a complete disregard for human life by having deadly fentanyl pills in the apartment, some of which were scattered on the carpet, within reach of two young children,” Robert A. Saccone, special agent in charge at the DEA Seattle Field Division said in a release. ‘Long-standing investigative target’
Mendoza Ayala was a long-standing investigative target for the local Drug Enforcement Administration office along with the Tri-Cities Metro Drug Task Force, said the Eastern Washington branch of the U.S. Attorney Office.
Investigators started looking into him in early 2019, according to court documents. Informants told them that he could get multiple thousands of pills.
The investigation continued to build in 2020 and 2021 as insiders continued to point to him as a major source of the fentanyl, said court records.
At the same time, Mendoza Ayala was arrested and charged with strangling his girlfriend, trying to set their apartment on fire and driving off with his 3-year-old son.
He ended up pleaded guilty in 2021 to the assault, but he disappeared before his sentencing.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office believed Mendoza Ayala knew there was a federal drug investigation, and he fled to hide. 2 1/2 years later
About 2 1/2 years later, investigators were tipped office in December 2023 that Mendoza Ayala was living in the apartments near the Shell gas station in the Horn Rapids area of Richland. The informant told investigators that he was trafficking drugs from California.
The informant said he brought four to five kilograms of cocaine, a one-gallon Ziplock bag of fentanyl and meth. They were told he carried a gun and was prepared to have a shootout with police if confronted.
The tip rekindled the investigation in January 2024. Mendoza Ayala was allegedly spotted with an “unlicensed” white Cherokee, court documents said.
He also was seen going into two garage units. Court documents linked him to several BMWs, a Mercedes and a GMC in the parking lot.
Officers used trash found near the units to connect Mendoza Ayala to being in the area. They also found bags with fentanyl powder along with foil showing someone had smoked fentanyl.
Detectives searched the apartment and two garage units in April 2024. They also searched four storage units, as well as several vehicles.
“For years, David Mendoza Ayala engaged in large-scale drug trafficking, pushing poison into our community,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano said Tuesday in a release.
“While Mendoza Ayala was able to escape consequences by hiding and fleeing from law enforcement, this case serves as proof that my office, along with our partners in federal and local law enforcement, never give up.”
Kennewick police Commander Isaac Merkl, who currently leads the Metro drug unit, credited the partnership between the federal and local agencies in helping to secure the conviction.
“Teamwork has been a pillar of success for detectives working diligently to combat those attempting to traffic drugs to our region,” Merkl said in the release.
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