SEATTLE, WA – Federal, state and local law enforcement have dismantled a Sinaloa Cartel-connected drug trafficking organization accused of distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin across western Washington, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Seattle Field Division.
Officials said traffickers transported narcotics from Mexico through California, sometimes using a semi-truck to move drugs up the coast. Distribution extended as far north as Whidbey Island and Arlington and as far south as Tacoma and Lacey.
DEA Seattle Special Agent in Charge David F. Reames said the group brought “misery and death” to the community and was responsible for narcotics capable of producing 6.9 million lethal doses of fentanyl. “The entire Puget Sound region is safer without the Camargo Banuelos brothers poisoning our communities,” Reames said.
Acting U.S. Attorney Miller said the indictment reaches both local distributors and the brothers in Mexico who directed the trafficking. “We will work with DOJ’s Office of International Affairs to hold all the conspirators accountable here in the U.S. and abroad,” Miller said.
According to case records, the drug ring was led by Rosario Abel “Joaquin” Camargo Banuelos, 31, and Francisco “Fernando” Camargo Banuelos, 24, both based in Sinaloa, Mexico. Investigators used undercover operations through 2023 and 2024, seizing large shipments of drugs. In October 2023, law enforcement seized 95 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than 41 kilograms of fentanyl powder.
A truck driver, Isabel Villarreal Zapien, 44, a Mexican citizen, was identified as transporting drugs. Zapien was arrested on state charges in January 2024 and is now federally charged in a 37-count indictment.
Other defendants named in the indictment include:
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Jose Mejia Ortiz, 30, citizen of Mexico, courier and distributor
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Juan Carlos Garcia Olais, 28, citizen of Mexico, courier and distributor
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Jorge Boneo Nieblas, 21, distributor and stash house attendant
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Ivan Garcia Camacho, 30, distributor
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Eder Ramirez Pino, 33, distributor previously removed from the U.S.
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Rosendo Vazquez Medrano, 37, redistributor, Mexican national previously removed from the U.S.
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Kevin Alexander Misacango Solano, 23, courier and distributor
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Karim Davis, 48, Everett, redistributor
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Tyler Johnson, 38, Shoreline, redistributor
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Israel Davis, 43, Shoreline, redistributor
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Alex Phan, 19, Everett, redistributor
Five defendants also face firearms charges, including carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and unlawful possession due to prior criminal history or immigration status.
In a coordinated operation on August 4, 2025, four additional defendants were arrested:
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Derel Gabelein, 37, Greenbank, Whidbey Island – charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute; narcotics seized from residence
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Aaron Knapp, 52, Everett – charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute; more than two kilograms of fentanyl pills seized
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John Hardman, 57, Everett – charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute; fentanyl powder, cash seized
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Jose Felix German, 34, Mexican citizen – charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm; acted as money courier; deported in 2013
Searches on August 4 seized seven pistols, three rifles, nine kilograms of methamphetamine, more than five kilograms of fentanyl, nearly four kilograms of cocaine, more than a kilogram of heroin, and $342,000 in suspected drug proceeds.
Prior to August, investigators had seized approximately 465 pounds of methamphetamine, 269 pounds of fentanyl, 23 pounds of cocaine, 6.4 pounds of heroin, $309,522 in assets, and 11 firearms.
Thirteen defendants are in custody and six remain at large. Some face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years in prison if convicted.
Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge Colin Jackson said the case reflects the importance of interagency collaboration. “HSI remains firmly committed to combating the dangerous networks responsible for importing deadly narcotics into the United States,” he said.
The investigation involved the DEA, Seattle Police Department, and HSI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Max Shiner and Crystal Correa.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative targeting drug cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and violent crime.