Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have disrupted a drug trafficking ring linked to the Sinaloa Cartel that was distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin throughout western Washington. The traffickers allegedly transported narcotics from Mexico through California, sometimes using semi-trucks to move the drugs up the coast. Drug transactions reportedly occurred in locations ranging from Whidbey Island and Arlington to Tacoma and Lacey.
Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller stated, “This indictment names not only the redistributors in the Western District of Washington, but also the brothers in Mexico who profited by spreading their poisons and addiction in the Pacific Northwest. We will work with DOJ’s Office of International Affairs to hold all the conspirators accountable here in the U.S. and abroad.”
Authorities said that hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl were seized during this operation. According to law enforcement estimates, these seizures could have resulted in 6.9 million lethal doses of fentanyl—enough to threaten every resident of the Seattle-Tacoma metro area.
The investigation identified Rosario Abel “Joaquin” Camargo Banuelos, 31, and his brother Francisco “Fernando” Camargo Banuelos, 24—both based in Sinaloa, Mexico—as leaders of the organization. Law enforcement used undercover agents over two years to gather evidence and intercept large shipments of drugs. In October 2023 alone, authorities seized 95 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than 41 kilograms of fentanyl powder.
A truck driver accused of transporting large loads for the group—Isabel Villarreal Zapien, 44—is among those charged federally following an earlier arrest on state charges.
HSI Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge Colin Jackson commented on interagency cooperation: “This investigation exemplifies the success achievable through effective interagency collaboration and coordination. HSI remains firmly committed to combating the dangerous networks responsible for importing deadly narcotics into the United States. These indictments highlight our dedication to holding these individuals accountable.”
Other indicted members include couriers, distributors, stash house attendants, and redistributors based both in Mexico and Washington State. Five defendants face firearms violations related either to carrying weapons during drug crimes or possessing them illegally due to criminal history or immigration status.
Four additional people were arrested earlier this month as part of coordinated search warrants served across multiple locations. This brings the total number charged in connection with this case to nineteen.
During searches on August 4th, officers seized seven pistols, three rifles, nine kilograms of methamphetamine, more than five kilograms of fentanyl, nearly four kilograms of cocaine, over a kilogram of heroin, and $342,000 believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking.
Previous seizures during this investigation included approximately 465 pounds of methamphetamine and 269 pounds of fentanyl as well as cash assets exceeding $309,000.
Thirteen defendants are currently detained while six remain at large. Some face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years due to drug quantities involved.
All charges are allegations; each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) led this investigation alongside Seattle Police Department with support from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorneys Max Shiner and Crystal Correa are prosecuting the case.
This action is part of Operation Take Back America—a Justice Department initiative aimed at dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations by combining resources from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
