SPOKANE, WA — Federal authorities say a large-scale drug trafficking investigation in the Tri-Cities area resulted in the largest seizure of controlled substances in the history of the Eastern District of Washington.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, the Drug Enforcement Administration executed federal search warrants at multiple locations in the Tri-Cities on March 3 as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected drug trafficking activities connected to Amador Sanchez and several alleged co-conspirators.
Investigators reported that Sanchez allegedly used multiple residences in the Tri-Cities area to facilitate and conceal drug distribution activities. Authorities also stated Sanchez was on federal supervised release related to a prior federal drug trafficking conviction at the time of the investigation.
During the searches, agents seized what officials described as large quantities of illegal drugs and other evidence. Preliminary estimates indicate authorities recovered more than 200 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 164 pounds of powdered fentanyl, and more than five pounds of cocaine. Law enforcement officials also seized approximately $2 million in U.S. currency and 16 firearms.
Federal officials said the investigation remains ongoing, and indictments are expected to be presented to a federal grand jury.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano described the operation as a significant effort by law enforcement partners to address drug trafficking in the region. Officials with the DEA’s Seattle Field Division said the quantity of drugs seized had the potential to cause widespread harm across communities if distributed.
The investigation involved the DEA Tri-Cities Resident Office along with assistance from several federal and state partners, including the U.S. Border Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.
