Puget Sound Drug Ring With Mexican Cartel Ties Broken Up: Feds

SEATTLE, WA - Federal and local police made seven arrests Tuesday linked to a major heroin and methamphetamine trafficking ring based in the north Puget Sound area, according to U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.

The arrests come after a six-month investigation by the FBI, DEA, and a number of Washington police agencies. The people arrested on federal drug charges hail from across the country, from Phoenix to Mount Vernon.

Along with the arrests, police seized 18 guns, 10 pounds of heroin, 20 pounds of methamphetamine, and about $500,000 in cash. Police served warrants at 30 locations around the state on Tuesday.

Hayes identified the leader of the drug ring as Jose V. Urias, 40, who lives in Snohomish and Sedro Wooley. Hayes said that Urias and others arrested have ties to Mexican drug cartels. Aside from the seven arrested along with Urias, another three were indicted, and 12 people were arrested on state charges.

In addition to Urias, the other people arrested or indicted on federal charges include:

• Belinda Cruz, 40, of Sedro Wooley
• Alberto Cruz Reyes, 52, of Phoenix
• Fernando Santacruz, 27, of Mount Vernon
• Rigoberto Ponce Sanchez, 28, of Sedro Wooley
• Jose Urena Verduzco, 32, of Kirkland
• Julian Zamora Garcia, 34, of Seattle
• Julio Cesar Fierro-Vega, 33 of Mount Vernon
• Ivan Valdez Soto, 34, of Salem, Ore.
• Victor Martinez, 23, of Mount Vernon

The accused will appear in federal court in Seattle on Tuesday afternoon.

Image via Shutterstock