MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle Police arrest 21 in Honduran drug ring bust

Jul 13, 2012, 8:05 AM | Updated: 9:28 am

Police arrested 21 people tied to a Honduran drug ring selling crack-cocaine in downtown Seattle. P...

Police arrested 21 people tied to a Honduran drug ring selling crack-cocaine in downtown Seattle. Police believe they may be part of a cartel. (Image courtesy Seattle Police)

(Image courtesy Seattle Police)

Seattle police took notice last year when a new type of crack-cocaine started showing up downtown. On Tuesday, cops arrested nearly two dozen people behind the sale and distribution of the drug.

In May 2012, police set up a sting on a Honduran drug ring and sent in undercover officers and informants to buy drugs.

The dealers often work in teams, with lookouts and hired muscle. Lieutenant Mike Kebba described the drug ring as a clever, cautious, tight-knit group of dealers.

About 30 dealers worked the corridor on Second Avenue, between Union and Virginia Streets. Police said each of those dealers would sell about $20 worth of cocaine wafers as many as 15 times an hour, earning $1,000-$2,000 in a 4-8 hour shift.

Police arrested 21 people tied to the drug deals on Tuesday, and believe they may belong to a cartel.

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