‘No respect for the law’: Mexican national sentenced to decade in prison for drug trafficking

A Mexican citizen who previously lived in Kent was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Department of Justice in the Western District of Washington.

A four-year drug investigation led to Ramon Duarte Garcia’s, 38, arrest last year. Investigators uncovered and seized more than 32 kilograms of cocaine, 14 kilograms of methamphetamine, 83,000 fentanyl-laced pills, 3 kilograms of heroin, and 1 kilogram of fentanyl powder in that time span.

“In this investigation, federal and state investigators worked from the streets of Seattle to drug suppliers in Mexico and Colombia,” Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Miller said. “Repeat stops by law enforcement did not stop this defendant as he brought large loads of narcotics to our community. Significant prison time is needed to stop his trafficking.”

Duarte Garcia’s visa to be in the U.S. has expired, meaning he will likely be deported following his prison term.

Multiple run-ins with the law

He was stopped by police multiple times in 2023 and still continued to traffic drugs. On December 4, 2023, Duarte Garcia’s car was searched, resulting in law enforcement finding 13 kilograms of cocaine, a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm semiautomatic pistol, pistol magazines and ammunition, a shell casing, $1,716 in cash drug proceeds, a knife, and a drug ledger. He was additionally charged in California in July 2023 with drug trafficking after 12 pounds of meth, a Glock handgun, and $10,000 were seized from his car.

“You showed no respect for the law. Getting involved in drug dealing when you entered the country,” U.S. District Judge Tana Lin said.

Prosecutors initially asked for a 12-year prison sentence, arguing his distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin while armed put many lives in danger.

“This cooperative effort is a win for the good guys and a tremendous example of the truly international cooperation needed to tackle this immense threat,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division.

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