Police seize 75 guns, money in series of drug busts across Puget Sound

Police are calling it one of the biggest investigations ever in the Puget Sound region leading to a series of drug busts.

Hundreds of local, state, and federal officers were involved in the busts that stretched from Skagit to Thurston Counties.

“Together with our federal and local partners, we have orchestrated the largest combined federal and local investigative case in recent memory,” said Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best

The Department of Justice says the first bust involved five people trafficking crack cocaine in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, the second bust in March resulted in 20 arrests of heroin and meth traffickers across South King County and into Tacoma, and the third bust in May involved two criminal groups trafficking meth in South King County.

On June 6 — the fourth bust — law enforcement seized 12 pounds of heroin, two kilos of cocaine, a pound of meth, 124 pounds of marijuana, 41 firearms, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.

Puget Sound drug busts

Altogether, the DOJ says the four operations resulted in the seizure of 75 guns, more than 95 pounds of meth, more than 32 pounds of heroin, more than seven pounds of cocaine and ecstasy and fentanyl.  More than $327,000 in cash and 22 vehicles also were seized.

“Over the last four months, more than 80 drug dealing conspirators moving meth, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl have been taken off our streets where they preyed on destructive addictions and used gun crime to further their trade,” said U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes. “For more than a year, local police worked with federal partners to build these cases, with the goal of addressing the shifting crime problems in South Sound communities.”

The defendants face a variety of drug and gun charges. The penalties range from five years in prison to a maximum of life in prison.