Alien Drug Ring Busted

(Seattle, Washington) Six men were arrested early yesterday during raids on a heroin and cocaine distribution ring operating in King and Snohomish Counties. About $260,000 in cash, 23 pounds of heroin and 33 pounds of cocaine were seized by authorities.

Javier Sanchez-Vasquez, 27, leader of the organization which smuggled the drugs from Mexico, was indicted along with Jose Vasquez-Contreras, 20; Gabriel Ramirez Castro, 30; Macrino Acevedo-Cuevas, 26; and Rodolfo Navarro-Gomez, 27. According to U.S. Attorney Adam Cornell, none of the five men above are U.S. citizens. Although aliens, it's presently not known if they are legally in the U.S. A sixth man, Dion Brady Lykins, was charged in a complaint.

Drug Enforcement Administration and Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force agents conducted the law enforcement operation.


[Update 04/13/07]

Cash bonanza found in traffickers' vehicles.