Six charged as part of drug ring in Skagit, Whatcom counties
Dec 2, 2022, 10:15 AM | Updated: 10:23 am
Six people have been charged as a part of a drug distribution operation in Skagit and Whatcom counties, according to U.S. Attorney Nick Brown’s office. (Photo from US Attorney's Office)
(Photo from US Attorney's Office)
Six people have been charged as part of a drug distribution operation in Skagit and Whatcom counties, according to U.S. Attorney Nick Brown’s office.
The group is accused of selling heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
“Drug trafficking organizations are spreading fentanyl pills throughout our district – from rural areas to urban centers,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “I commend the coordinated efforts in Whatcom and Skagit counties to expeditiously interdict these potentially deadly drugs.”
Its alleged leader, Enoc Martinez Lopez, is a 27-year-old man from Marysville. Lopez was charged with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of drugs.
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Investigators say they saw Martinez Lopez meeting with Adam Wisniewski, a 41-year-old man from Bellingham. The April meeting happened at the Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale.
Wisniewski was later arrested by officers with over 1,000 fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, and a gun.
He was arrested again in June with two guns and fentanyl pills.
Wisniewski was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and two counts of illegal possession of firearms.
He cannot legally possess firearms due to a felony drug possession conviction in 2011.
Manuel Garcia Munoz, a 21-year-old from Marysville, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of heroin.
Casey Landis, a 39-year-old from Bellingham, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute including methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to the criminal complaint in October, Landis left a fanny pack filled with fentanyl and methamphetamine on a counter at Silver Reef Casino. A search of Landis’ phone revealed text messages about drug trafficking with Martinez Lopez and customers.
Jesse Witteveen, a 37-year-old from Maple Falls, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.
Witteveen tried getting away from police and threw a bag of drugs from his car window before being taken into custody in Whatcom County in November.
A search of Witteveen’s car and home turned up fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, several cellphones, gun parts, and ammunition.
Corbin Saunders, a 43-year-old from Bellingham, was charged with unlawful possession of firearms.
According to court documents, Saunders is the owner of a Tesla that was seen leaving a known drug-involved residence in Bellingham.
When the car was stopped, a drug dog detected the odor of drugs. Law enforcement officials used a search warrant and recovered methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, an AR-15-style rifle and a 9 mm handgun.
Because of Saunders’ prior felony convictions for theft and forgery, and convictions for possession of heroin and methamphetamine, he is not legally allowed to possess guns.
In total, the investigation resulted in the seizure of 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 2.8 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 5.7 kilograms of cocaine, 1.6 kilograms of heroin, 8.7 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, more than $186,000 in cash and nine guns.
