Over 100 pounds of drugs seized in rural WA
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SPOKANE – The Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force, along with law enforcement partners, announced Monday that a series of federal search warrants were executed at a number of residential locations in rural Okanogan County, near Oroville, seizing more than 100 pounds of illegal controlled substances and multiple firearms.
The drugs were seized last week, as part of an investigation into the trafficking of multiple-pound quantities of dangerous controlled substances. including fentanyl-laced pills, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. In total, approximately 161,000 fentanyl-laced pills (to include Mexi-blues and rainbow-colored pills), approximately 80 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately six pounds of heroin, and more than two pounds of cocaine were seized. Authorities also seized an estimated 12 firearms.
A significant portion of the drugs were believed to be destined for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, as well as for other Native American communities and surrounding areas in Washington and Montana, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Spokane.
According to court documents, five people have been charged in connection with the investigation. Erubey Arciga Medrano, Luis Esquivel-Balonos, Chad Winston Vanatta, Emily Wisdom, and Jeremy Wright were indicted by a federal grand jury for the Eastern District of Washington for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine, and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as other drug-trafficking charges.
U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref commended the joint efforts of law enforcement for removing such a large quantity of illegal drugs from the community.
“Illegal drugs, and fentanyl in particular, have become a scourge across the United States, including in Indian Country,” U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref said. “I’m grateful to the BIA, DEA, and our critical federal, state, and tribal partners for working together to combat this dangerous poison. As a result, our neighborhoods and communities in Eastern Washington and elsewhere are safer and stronger.”
Photo via U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of Washington
