Federal law enforcement and local law enforcement conducted arrests and seizures on May 9 in a surveillance investigation stretching from Renton to Bellingham of a fentanyl trafficking group.

Law enforcement arrested four men from Honduras and seized 16 kilograms of fentanyl powder and 60,000 fentanyl pills in the federal investigation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to the department, of the four suspects arrested, two held residence in Renton and one lived in Federal Way, with law enforcement lacking knowledge of a fourth suspect’s residence.

The defendants charged include 22-year-old Elvin Irias-Escoto of Honduras, who lived in Renton; 26-year-old Selvin Ponce-Maradiaga of Honduras, who lived in Renton; 20-year-old Sammy Maradiaga-Escoto of Honduras, who lived in Federal Way; and 24-year-old Hector Rosales-Martinez of Honduras.

The U.S. District Court held hearings for the four defendants in Seattle on May 10.

According to the Department of Justice, investigation into the trafficking group started in late March with undercover agents setting up initial drug deals. Undercover agents working with Homeland Security Investigations posed as well-funded drug customers and set up a deal to purchase kilos of fentanyl powder and pills.

According to the department, Irias-Escoto, 22, agreed to the deal. On May 9, Tacoma DEA agents surveilled the four men as they packed boxes, a backpack, and a cooler into a vehicle at a Renton apartment complex. The men traveled to the Bellingham area and set up the sale in a shopping center parking lot.

According to the department, law enforcement found two boxes containing 15 packages of “just over” 15 kilograms of fentanyl powder in the mens’ vehicle. Law enforcement seized a firearm in the vehicle in addition to the powder.

Law enforcement agents conducted a search of the Renton apartment, resulting in the seizure of an additional 60,000 fentanyl pills, an additional kilogram of fentanyl powder and multiple boxes of ammunition.

Assistant United States Attorneys Yunah Chung and Jehiel Baer will prosecute the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Border Patrol, and more, all served as collaborators on the case.

Law enforcement seized more than 60,000 fentanyl pills in the search of an apartment of one of the suspects living in Renton. (Courtesy of the Department of Justice.)