Seattle – Over the last three weeks, federal, state and local law enforcement have been working to dismantle a Sinaloa Cartel-connected drug trafficking ring distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin throughout western Washington. The drug traffickers transported narcotics from Mexico, via California, sometimes using a semi-truck to bring the drugs up the coast. Drug deals occurred as far north as Whidbey Island and Arlington and as far south as Tacoma and the Lacey area.

“This Sinaloa Cartel-affiliated drug trafficking group brought misery and death to our community,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division.  “The work of DEA and our partners seized hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl from this group that could have yielded a staggering 6.9 million lethal doses.  This fentanyl could have killed everyone living in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area.  The entire Puget Sound region is safer without the Camargo Banuelos brothers poisoning our communities.”

“This indictment names not only the redistributors in the Western District of Washington, but also the brothers in Mexico who profited by spreading their poisons and addiction in the Pacific Northwest,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “We will work with DOJ’s Office of International Affairs to hold all the conspirators accountable here in the U.S. and abroad.”

According to records filed in the case, the drug ring is led by Rosario Abel “Joaquin” Camargo Banuelos, 31, and his brother Francisco “Fernando” Camargo Banuelos 24. The men are based in the Sinaloa area of Mexico. Throughout 2023 and 2024, law enforcement used undercover agents to uncover the tentacles of the drug ring and seize large loads of narcotics. Over those years law enforcement was able to seize huge shipments of drugs including 95 kilos of meth and more than 41 kilos of fentanyl powder in October 2023. The investigation determined that large loads of drugs were being transported by a coconspirator who is a truck driver. That defendant, Isabel Villarreal Zapien, 44, a Mexican citizen, was arrested on state charges in January 2024 and is now charged federally in the 37-count indictment.

“This investigation exemplifies the success achievable through effective interagency collaboration and coordination,” said HSI Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge Colin Jackson. “HSI remains firmly committed to combating the dangerous networks responsible for importing deadly narcotics into the United States. These indictments highlight our dedication to holding these individuals accountable.”

The other members of the drug trafficking ring named in the indictment include:

• Jose Mejia Ortiz, 30, a citizen of Mexico, a courier and distributor
• Juan Carlos Garcia Olais, 28, a citizen of Mexico, a courier and distributor
• Jorge Boneo Nieblas, 21, distributor and stash house attendant
• Ivan Garcia Camacho, 30, distributor
• Eder Ramirez Pino, 33, distributor previously removed from the U.S.
• Rosendo Vazquez Medrano, 37, a redistributor who is a Mexican national previously removed from the U.S.
• Kevin Alexander Misacango Solano, 23, courier and distributor
• Karim Davis, 48, of Everett, Washington, a redistributor
• Tyler Johnson, 38, of Shoreline, Washington a redistributor
• Israel Davis, 43, of Shoreline, Washington, a redistributor
• Alex Phan,19, of Everett, Washington, a redistributor

Five of the defendants are charged with firearms violations including carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime or illegally possessing a firearm because of their prior criminal history or immigration status.

Four additional defendants were arrested at the takedown in early August in connection with the serving of multiple search warrants. This brings the total number of defendants in this case to 19. These defendants are charged by criminal complaint with being part of the drug trafficking conspiracy:

• Derel Gabelein, 37, of Greenbank, Whidbey Island, Washington is charged with conspiracy and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. At Gabelein’s residence law enforcement seized bags of methamphetamine, fentanyl and other controlled substances.
• Aaron Knapp, 52, of Everett, Washington, charged with conspiracy and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. He was found to have more than two kilograms of fentanyl pills when law enforcement searched his residence on August 4, 2025.
• John Hardman, 57, of Everett, Washington was charged with conspiracy and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. His residence contained a brick of suspected fentanyl powder stamped with a swastika as well as $50,000 in cash.
• Jose Felix German, 34, a Mexican citizen, was charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm. German allegedly acted as a money courier for the conspiracy. He was arrested at a target residence on August 4, 2025, and had a 9 mm pistol. In 2013 German was deported from the U.S. to Mexico. He did not have legal status in the U.S.

During the coordinated arrests and searches on August 4, 2025, law enforcement seized seven pistols and three rifles, as well as nine kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 5 kilograms of fentanyl, nearly 4 kilograms of cocaine, and more than a kilogram of heroin. Law enforcement seized more than $342,000 in suspected drug trafficking proceeds.

This investigation has produced significant seizures even before the coordinated arrests in early August. Past seizures included approximately 465 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 269 pounds of fentanyl, approximately 23 pounds of cocaine, and approximately 6.4 pounds of heroin. In addition, investigators seized over $309,522 USD in assets and seized an approximate 11 firearms.

Thirteen defendants are in custody, six are being sought by law enforcement. 

The charges in the indictment carry significant prison time. Due to the amounts of drugs involved some defendants face a mandatory minimum ten years in prison.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Seattle Police Department with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Max Shiner and Crystal Correa.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Justice Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).