With help from law enforcement agencies across the state, Thurston County Narcotics Task Force seized drugs, firearms, cash and vehicles that stemmed from a cartel operation.
Thurston County Sheriff’s Facebook page announced on Saturday, Feb. 10, that the task force carried out several search warrants at several locations throughout the state. The task force’s investigation was based on information that the seized narcotics were being directly imported into Thurston County on a routine and consistent basis.
The task force confiscated 104 pounds of methamphetamine, 40,000 fentanyl pills, 2.7 ounces of fentanyl powder, 5.4 ounces of cocaine, 42 firearms and $97,000 cash during the search warrants. Law enforcement recovered a stolen Kubota rough-terrain vehicle and seized an Audi sedan used for facilitating transactions.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Facebook page added that several arrests have been made stemming from the seizures. More arrests are expected to come.
“While most of the seizures (Thurston Narcotics Task Force) coordinates are not regularly reported, the task force believes it is important to share periodic updates so that the public is aware of the massive flow of cartel-supplied narcotics and guns in our local community. Nearly all crime in our county can be traced back to some form of drug trafficking as the opioid epidemic continues to trend upward,” according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Facebook page. “TCSO fully supports efforts to help those experiencing substance abuse. We also believe that part of that effort must include the seizure and arrest of both intermediary and high profile cartel-funded dealers wreaking havoc in our county.”
Thurston Narcotics Task Force includes Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) detectives, members of Washington State Patrol, Homeland Security, a part-time Olympia Police Department detective and the Department of Corrections.
The task force’s most recent operation included assistance from Thurston County Swat operators, which includes the TCSO, Olympia Police Department and Yelm Police Department. Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security, Washington State Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Corrections and Toppenish Police Department also assisted with the operation.
“We are extremely grateful to our partner organizations who recognize the importance of this work and why it matters,” according to the TCSO Facebook page.
