Over the past 36 hours, law enforcement in Tacoma executed 13 search warrants and arrested eight of nine individuals charged in a federal indictment for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Five additional people were arrested on complaints related to firearms and narcotics found during searches of their homes and vehicles. Some of those arrested are identified as members of the Knoccout Crips street gang, which has been linked to drug trafficking and violence in Tacoma. The arrests follow an 18-month investigation led by the FBI, including a two-month wiretap.
“Over the last 18 months, law enforcement carefully tracked the activities of this drug trafficking ring, seizing kilogram quantities of fentanyl pills and powder from checked luggage at Sea-Tac airport,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “The wiretap revealed the far-reaching scope of the conspiracy, with drug mules attempting to transport fentanyl from Arizona to Tacoma and in at least one instance on to Baltimore.”
W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, commented on the operation: “Yesterday, the FBI’s South Sound Safe Streets Gang Task Force, together with more than a dozen partner law enforcement agencies, conducted a large-scale takedown targeting violent criminal street gangs involved in drug distribution and other violent crimes in Pierce County. An 18-month investigation revealed that these gang members and associates were sending couriers down to a source of supply in Phoenix to bring huge quantities of fentanyl back to Washington state in their checked luggage for redistribution. This case is an example of the FBI’s commitment to combatting violent criminals and gangs, as emphasized in Operation Summer Heat, a nationwide initiative targeting violent criminals and restoring safety in our communities.”
Those named in the ten-count indictment are Bryant K Moss Jr (aka ‘BJ’), Gary Williams (aka “Fat Boy”), Dominique Woods (aka “Kane”), Joshua Logsdon (aka “Bird”), Michael Lewis, Dallas Martin, Josaphina Diaz, Forest Neal, and Genesis Moreau. All are charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; some face additional charges related to possession or distribution between March 2024 and April 2025.
Seven others connected to the alleged conspiracy were also arrested based on probable cause established during recent searches: James Whitaker, William Young, Bryant Moss Sr., Jaylin Irish, Dominique Buffington, Troy Harris, and An Do.
Investigators reported that over the course of this case they seized approximately 34 kilograms of fentanyl along with marijuana and firearms prior to this week’s action. In just the last day-and-a-half during warrant execution they confiscated nearly 2.7 kilograms of fentanyl as well as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, almost 28 kilograms of marijuana, more than $111 thousand in cash, and 23 firearms.
Because of the amount of drugs involved some defendants could face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years if convicted.
All individuals charged remain presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The operation was led by the FBI’s South Sound Safe Streets Gang Task Force working alongside Homeland Security Investigations; police departments from Tacoma and Lakewood; Pierce County Sheriff’s Office; Washington State Department of Corrections; Federal Air Marshal Service; Port of Seattle Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; Seattle Police Department; Washington State Patrol; IRS Criminal Investigations; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Fife Police Department; Thurston County Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kristine Foerster and Crystal Correa are prosecuting this case.
This action is part of Operation Summer Heat—an FBI initiative addressing violent crime across U.S. communities by coordinating resources with local partners nationwide through focused enforcement operations.
The effort falls under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation—a multi-agency approach aimed at disrupting major criminal organizations threatening public safety across America.
More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
