Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers executed a series of federal search warrants in rural Okanogan County, near Oroville and seized over 100 pounds of illegal controlled substances and multiple firearms.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force, along with other partners, conducted the raids on April 19. The drugs seized were part of an investigation into the trafficking of dangerous controlled substances, including fentanyl-laced pills, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine.
Approximately 161,000 fentanyl-laced pills, 80 pounds of methamphetamine, 6 pounds of heroin, and more than 2 pounds of cocaine were seized. The BIA, DEA, and their partners also confiscated approximately 12 firearms.
The investigation team has charged several individuals in connection with the case. On April 18, Erubey Arciga Medrano, Luis Esquivel-Balonos, Chad Winston Vanatta, Emily Wisdom, and Jeremy Wright were indicted by a federal grand jury for the Eastern District of Washington for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine and 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, as well as other related drug-trafficking charges.
According to reports, a significant portion of the drugs seized were destined for the Colville Reservation, as well as for other Native American communities and surrounding areas in Washington and Montana.