Two members of a drug trafficking ring with ties to Mexico were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Seattle Sept. 22, Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced in a news release.
One of those men, Jose Rodolfo Aguilar Cortes, 23, of Federal Way, was sentenced to five years in prison following an indictment for a seizure of 14 kilos of cocaine that occurred on March 24, 2024, in Lewis County.
The other, Alex Ortiz, 21, of Auburn, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for his role as a stash house operator for the drug ring.
According to records filed in the case, both men were involved with bringing significant quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to western Washington for distribution.
Cortes was identified as one of the drivers of cars bringing drugs to the Northwest from California. Total seizures included the recovery of approximately 81 kilograms of methamphetamine, 49 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 15 kilograms of cocaine and 3 pounds of marijuana. Cortes was sentenced to four years of supervised release following his prison term, but is expected to be deported after completing that term, as he is a citizen of Mexico.
According to the release, Ortiz was a stash house operator who followed instructions about delivering drugs and receiving cash to and from various drug ring members. He lived with his cousin, who was also indicted in the case. When search warrants were executed at the home on May 14, 2024, investigators seized approximately $5,920 in U.S. currency, eight firearms, 14 rounds of ammunition and six magazines found throughout various rooms.
The Auburn man was sentenced to five years of supervised release to follow his 20-month prison term. U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson recommended the residential drug treatment program for Ortiz while he is incarcerated.
“This is a serious offense involving dangerous drugs and a significant number of guns,” Evanson said at Ortiz’s sentencing.
So far, 15 defendants have been charged for participating in the drug ring. Two other defendants have pleaded guilty and were sentenced to five years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, the Seattle Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Oregon State Police, the Portland Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles Strike Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Centralia Police Department.
The effort was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.
According to the release, OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven and multi-agency approach.
Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
