CRIME BLOTTER

Seattle man gets 35 years for fentanyl, meth trafficking tied to Phoenix drug ring

Feb 9, 2026, 11:41 AM

Seattle drug trafficking...

A photo of a Department of Justice flag waving outside of the Department of Justice building. (Photo courtesy of the Depeartment of Justice)

(Photo courtesy of the Depeartment of Justice)

A Seattle man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for violating federal narcotics laws relating to a transnational criminal organization.

Bryce Hill, 28, was among 35 individuals charged for their participation in a narcotics and money laundering conspiracy, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday.

The domestic and international narcotics conspiracy involved substantial quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Hill, who was convicted after a two-and-a-half-week trial in September 2025.

Wiretap, search warrants uncover massive drug stash

During the trial, evidence established that Hill was a member of the Phoenix-based Monarrez Drug Trafficking Organization, a transnational criminal organization that had distributed millions of fentanyl pills, hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, and dozens of kilograms of cocaine from August 2021 to June 2023.

“The Monarrez TCO provided the drugs to a network of subordinate drug distributors, who redistributed the narcotics throughout the country, including into western Pennsylvania,” the DOJ stated.

Hill was intercepted on a federal wiretap, obtaining hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills and kilograms of fentanyl powder for redistribution.

A search warrant was executed on January 11, 2023, where law enforcement seized 27 kilograms of fentanyl pills, multiple firearms, and $387,000 in cash from Hill’s apartment.

Authorities also seized 28 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 7.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, three kilograms of cocaine, 48 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 20 firearms from a short-term rental property in Scottsdale, Arizona, on December 25, 2022.

The jury found that Hill conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Hill’s sentencing followed that of 32 other co-defendants, including two Kent residents and a SeaTac resident.

Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.

Crime Blotter

Blue Origin employee arrested...

Luke Duecy

Seattle man who works for aerospace giant Blue Origin faces federal charges in child exploitation case

A Seattle man who works at Blue Origin, is facing federal charges accusing him of distributing child sexual abuse material and attempting to entice a minor.

1 hour ago

Everett apartment shooting...

MyNorthwest Staff

1 killed, 1 injured in shooting at south Everett apartment complex

The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office is searching for a suspect after two people were shot in a parking lot in south Everett.

5 hours ago

football player killed...

KIRO Newsradio staff

Driver held on $200,000 bail after car strikes, kills Federal Way football player

A Federal Way High School football player died in a crash Friday night.

20 hours ago

test drive...

Julie Berg, KIRO 7 News

82-year-old man assaulted and car stolen during Whatcom County test drive

An 82-year-old man was violently assaulted and had his vehicle stolen during a test drive Thursday, on Aldrich Road in Whatcom County.

21 hours ago

Alleged residential burglary. Photo courtesy: Clark County Sheriff's Office via Facebook....

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Who is this man? Clark County authorities asking for help after residential burglary near Battle Ground

A mystery man in Battle Ground reportedly broke into a homeowners shed, stole fishing gear, and then kicked into the homes back door.

23 hours ago

King County Sheriff's Office investigates deadly Burien shooting...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

King County Sheriff’s Office investigates deadly shooting in Burien

One person is dead after a shooting in Burien, and the King County Sheriff is investigating the incident near the 15300 block of First Avenue.

1 day ago

Seattle man gets 35 years for fentanyl, meth trafficking tied to Phoenix drug ring