CRIME BLOTTER

King County deputies intercept Burien drug ring tied to Sinaloa cartel

May 15, 2024, 11:47 AM

burien drug cartel...

Drugs, weapons and money recovered by the King County Sheriff's Office. (Photo courtesy of King County Sheriff's Office)

(Photo courtesy of King County Sheriff's Office)

The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) arrested a suspected drug trafficker in Burien who was connected to a Mexican cartel after investigating the suspect for months.

According to KCSO, the suspect was someone who was running drugs into Washington for the Sinaloa cartel — arguably the largest and most powerful drug trafficking organization in the Western Hemisphere, led mostly by Joaquín Guzmán Loera’s, also known as El Chapo, sons.

More local drug busts: 13 Western WA residents indicted for major drug ring, 350 pounds of drugs recovered

The arrest came after a two-month investigation that involved more than 100 hours of surveillance across the region.

Alongside the arrest, the investigation into the Burien drug ring uncovered nearly three pounds of fentanyl powder, 5,000 fentanyl/M30 pills, 10 grams of cocaine, three handguns, one AR-15 style short barrel rifle with a 60-round drum magazine, three vehicles and more than $180,000 in cash.

(Photo courtesy of King County Sheriff’s Office)

The suspect is currently booked in King County Jail on narcotics-related charges. It’s unclear whether deputies believe he had accomplices here.

More local drug busts: Shoreline officers get 64 pounds of fentanyl off the streets

Frank Sumrall is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here and you can email him here.

Crime Blotter

Stolen SUV suspect pointed gun at officer before jumping into Lake Washington, Seattle police say...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Stolen SUV suspect reportedly pointed gun at officer before jumping into Lake Washington

A man was arrested after allegedly stealing an SUV, ramming a police vehicle, pointing a gun at an officer, and treading water in Lake Washington.

10 hours ago

domestic violence...

James Lynch

VIDEO: Domestic violence suspect arrested after allegedly ramming 2 police vehicles in Seattle

A 26-year-old man wanted in connection with domestic violence cases in Renton, Tukwila, and Seattle was arrested in downtown Seattle.

11 hours ago

carjacking...

James Lynch

VIDEO: Driver allegedly tops 100 mph before crash, carjacking attempt in Pierce County

A 23-year-old man was arrested early Friday morning after deputies said he tried to carjack a woman on SR 512.

15 hours ago

3 Auburn police bodycam footage...

Luke Duecy

‘I started just delivering strikes’: Auburn releases body camera video of officer punching suspect

Auburn police have released body camera footage showing an officer punching a suspect repeatedly during a struggle in the middle of a busy street.

15 hours ago

sheriff fraud...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Law enforcement impersonation scams trigger Kitsap County fraud advisory

The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has issued a fraud advisory warning the public about law enforcement impersonation scams.

16 hours ago

Roy shooting...

James Lynch

VIDEO: 27-year-old arrested after shooting near Roy, pursuit ends in Yelm field

A 49-year-old man is in stable condition after being shot multiple times near Roy.

1 day ago

King County deputies intercept Burien drug ring tied to Sinaloa cartel