WASHINGTON STATE — Federal and local law enforcement agencies have arrested 18 suspects in two major drug distribution takedowns across western Washington this October, unveiling a massive narcotics pipeline tied to both Ecuador and Mexico. Authorities say the combined operations seized enough lethal fentanyl to kill more than 6 million people, marking one of the region’s most significant drug enforcement actions in recent years.
Major Operations Uncover Deadly Quantities of Fentanyl
Two coordinated efforts—Operation Correcaminos (“roadrunner” in Spanish) and Operation Good Times—were executed in the Seattle metro area and Snohomish County. Officials said each network operated independently yet both posed life-threatening risks to the community due to the extreme potency of fentanyl powder and pills being trafficked.
According to U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd, investigators followed traditional investigative steps but were shocked by the scale of the operation.
“You follow the money, you follow the drugs, you do the investigation, but you don’t know who the people are going to be at the end of the operation. This operation was dangerous,” Floyd said, speaking about the multi-agency effort.
The details of both investigations were shared publicly through the official announcement.
Operation Correcaminos: 10-Month Investigation Leads to 8 Arrests
The first takedown stemmed from a December 2024 traffic stop by Tulalip Tribal police, who found fentanyl inside a suspect’s vehicle. What began as a single traffic stop eventually led to a sweeping, months-long probe involving undercover drug purchases and surveillance.
The following eight defendants were arrested and charged for their alleged roles in the Snohomish County drug ring:
- Oliver Gutama Escandon, 21, Renton
- Josselin Gutama Escandon, 23, Renton
- Henry Gutama Escandon, 34, Renton
- Carlos Gutama Escandon, 30, Renton
- Jessica Gutama Escandon, 32, Renton
- Andres Giraldo Arias, 34, Renton
- Stalyn Quezada Gutama, 23, Renton
- Artur Shahnazaryan, 38, Redmond
Five of the defendants are siblings from the Gutama Escandon family, originally from Ecuador.
Snohomish County Sheriff Susanna Johnson emphasized the immense impact of the operation.
“I personally cannot overstate the impact of this investigation on the community in Snohomish County,” Johnson said. “Just the amount of fentanyl and heroin does impact our daily lives.”
Drugs, Weapons, and Cash Recovered
During the operation, authorities seized:
- Four firearms
- 2 kg of fentanyl powder
- 36,000+ fentanyl pills
- 3 kg of methamphetamine
- Smaller quantities of heroin and cocaine
- Over $220,000 in cash
DEA Special Agent in Charge David Reames said the seizure likely saved countless lives.
“We stopped over three and a half million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl from hitting the streets in our hometown,” Reames said. “These men and their co-conspirators were a grave threat to the safety of our communities.”
Operation Good Times: Year-Long Probe Ends With 10 More Arrests
A separate year-long investigation concluded on October 28, resulting in ten additional arrests. This group, authorities said, was moving narcotics north from California and Arizona and had ties to an illegal cockfighting operation in rural Lewis County.
Recovered from this operation:
- 100,000+ fentanyl pills
- 34 kg of fentanyl powder
- 3.7 kg of methamphetamine
- Nearly 1 kg of heroin
- 8.7 kg of cocaine
- Over $140,000 in cash
Officials estimate the fentanyl seized here alone was enough to kill 3.3 million people.
The following defendants were indicted:
- Luis Humberto Lamas-Guzman, 25, Lynnwood
- Eduardo Villavicencio-Salido, 44, Marysville
- Silvestre Ramos Martinez, 35, Everett
- Jose Navarro Hernandez (“Robert”), 46, Marysville
- Jose Manuel Ramos Ibarra (“Kora”), 28, Everett
- Marisol Perez-Diaz, 23, Auburn
- Jordan Martinez Gamez, 23, Auburn
- Jose Isabel Sandoval Zuniga, 30, Sammamish
- Roni Licona Escoto, 56, Seattle
- Edgar Rivas Robles, 33, Centralia
Assistant Chief Nicole Powell praised the collaboration among law enforcement agencies.
“The city of Seattle and the region around the city are safer because of the work you have done,” Powell said.
Public Safety Concerns and Community Impact
Fentanyl remains one of the deadliest threats in the United States. Even 2 milligrams—an amount small enough to fit on the tip of a pencil—can be lethal. The quantities seized in these two operations reinforce the urgent need for community awareness and preventive education.
Officials stress that drug networks often operate quietly within neighborhoods, making public reporting and cooperation essential. The success of both operations underscores how local tips, proactive policing, and federal partnership can dismantle major trafficking pipelines.
All Defendants Remain in Federal Custody
Authorities confirmed that all 18 suspects are currently in custody. One defendant, Jose Isabel Sandoval Zuniga, appeared in court Thursday for arraignment on gun and drug charges, and investigators allege he served as a primary firearms supplier within the network.
Conclusion
The twin busts highlight the ongoing battle against fentanyl distribution in Washington State and the lifesaving impact of collaborative law enforcement. With more than 6 million lethal doses prevented from reaching communities, officials hope these arrests will send a clear message to drug traffickers targeting the region.
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