Thursday, Oct. 02, 2008

Suspected meth ring busted in Tri-Cities, Spokane

By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer

Ten people were arrested and a suspected methamphetamine distribution ring was taken down in early-morning raids Wednesday in the Tri-Cities and Spokane.

About 200 local and federal law enforcement officers swarmed more than a dozen homes, capping an 18-month investigation into the drug ring that reaches into four states, federal officials said.

Officers seized 26 pounds of suspect methamphetamine or cocaine, more than $100,000 in cash and several weapons and vehicles.

Four of the suspects arrested are Tri-City residents: Alejandro Vizcarra-Mullan, 25, Modesta "Concha" Rivas-Pena, 44, and Jesus Rogelia Bueno-Fuentes, 58, all of Pasco, and Ana Maria Zazueta-Bueno, 43, address unknown.

They are accused of being members of a drug conspiracy responsible for distributing meth in Eastern Washington during the past four years, said Thomas Rice, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

A federal grand jury returned a 15-count, sealed indictment charging the 10 suspects on Sept. 11.

James A. McDevitt, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, credited the partnership among local and federal law enforcement agencies to help "deal with the threat and scourge of gangs, guns, and drugs."

The group is suspected of operating in Washington, Idaho, Montana and North Dakota.

No details were released about the locations that were raided, but they did target one home at 420 N. Elm St. in Pasco.

Pasco police, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the National Guard were seen searching the single-wide mobile home and a vehicle parked out front.

"The Pasco Police Department appreciated the culmination of this long-term investigation by DEA and the arrest of numerous suspects who have been operating this criminal organization from the Tri-Cities," said Pasco Chief Denis Austin.

Arnold Moorin, special agent in charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration, said it was too premature to say where the meth was coming from.

Additional details were not released because the investigation is ongoing, and Moorin said the DEA will continue working with Mid-Columbia law enforcement to stop drug traffickers.

"This is what we do. This is what we do for a living," Moorin said. "We're not going to stop."

The six arrested in the Spokane area are: Shawna Lynn Anderson, 33, Carlos Valdez-Rios, 28, Warner William Slater, 43, and Charles McGee, 44, all of Spokane; Daniel Allen Flagherty, 34, of Greenacres, and George Flagherty, 37, of Spokane Valley.

Valdez-Rios also uses the aliases Ines Tamayo-Lopez and Tamayo Lopez-Ines.

Agencies that participated in the raids include Kennewick, Richland, Pasco and Spokane police departments; Benton, Franklin and Spokane counties sheriff's offices; Washington State Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, National Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Tri-Cities Metro Drug Task Force, Spokane Regional Drug Task Force, FBI, U.S. Marshal's Service and Border Patrol and Social Security Administration also participated.

"Working in collaboration with our federal partners is another strategy in keeping our communities safe -- it is working here in the Tri-Cities," said Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg.

A conspiracy conviction carries a penalty of 10 years to life in federal prison and up to a $4 million fine.

Several suspects are charged with individual counts of distribution of meth. Sentences for distribution vary depending on the quantity, but range from five to 40 years in prison.