Meth bust could have Mexican cartel ties

LYNNWOOD — Three pounds of methamphetamine seized in Lynnwood two weeks ago may be linked to one of the largest drug cartels operating in the U.S.

Members of the Eastside Narcotics Task Force based in King County started investigating a drug ring in their neck of the woods in November, Bellevue Police Officer Carla Iafrate said.

They made their move in Lynnwood on Feb. 11, seizing two cars and three pounds of meth worth about $276,000. The task force includes officers from the King County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol and police departments in Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Redmond.

Two weeks ago, the task force arranged to make a drug buy at a Lynnwood address, Iafrate said.

Three Enumclaw men and a Lynnwood man were arrested in connection with the bust.

The task force believes some of those arrested have ties to the La Familia drug cartel, which is also known as La Familia Michoacana. The cartel, which is strong in Mexico and California, is considered the largest meth supplier to the U.S.

The case is still under investigation, Iafrate said. It has not yet been forwarded to Snohomish County prosecutors. The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services also is involved.

Three pounds of meth is enough for about 1,400 doses or “hits,” Iafrate said.

Lynnwood police were not involved in the bust, spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said. They do, however, get a heads up when the task force is coming to town.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

2025 Emerging Leader winner Samantha Love becomes emotional after receiving her award on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Samantha Love named 2025 Emerging Leader for Snohomish County

It was the 10th year that The Herald Business Journal highlights the best and brightest of Snohomish County.

Bryson Fico, left, unloaded box of books from his car with the help of Custody Officer Jason Morton as a donation to the Marysville Jail on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Books behind bars: A personal mission for change

Bryson Fico’s project provides inmates with tools for escape, learning and second chances.

A person walks along a trail at Harborview Park with a snow covered Mt. Baker in the background on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Drought advisory issued for Snohomish County and six other counties

The state Department of Ecology also declared a drought emergency for three eastern WA counties.

An estimated 4,000 people attended the "Hands Off!" rally in downtown Everett. Saturday, April 5, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Thousands gather in Everett to say ‘Hands Off!’ to Trump

Elected officials join community members to speak at the Snohomish County campus, one of more than 1,400 protests across the world.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 from Vancouver to Portland arrives at Everett Station Thursday, March 9, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
All Amtrak Cascades trains back in service

Many trains on the Pacific Northwest route were out of service for up to 11 days. Trains will still have limited seating.

Founder and director of New Moon Farm Sanctuary Ellen Felsenthal pets Clara Bow-er, a boer goat that was a part of a larger rescue from Yelm on Thursday, April 3, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington sanctuary gives new life to goats

The sanctuary recently rescued nine goats from Yelm and is nursing the animals back to health.

Arlo Frostad, 7, and his twin brother Harrison Frostad, walk through the fields of Roozengaarde outside of Mount Vernon, Washington during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival on April 10, 2025. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Stop and smell the flowers at Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

The largest tulip festival in North America features five gardens and runs through April.

An "Ales for the Arts" event hosted by the Foundation for Edmonds School District in Edmonds, Wash., June  20, 2024. The group is raising money to save music classes from district cuts. (Chona Kasinger/The New York Times)
Facing projected $8.5M deficit, Edmonds school board weighs cuts to staff

The district proposed potential cuts in a recent community survey, including sixth grade music and middle school athletics.

Everett
DEA agents: Everett man had enough fentanyl to kill millions

Kevin Torres Velasquez to appeared in U.S. District Court on Friday to face federal charges from January arrest.

Hai Viet Hong, center, performs with the Huong Viet Performing Arts Group during The Wendt Mayor’s Arts Awards on Thursday, April 10 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett artists celebrated with The Wendt Mayor’s Arts Awards

Award recipients included a former City Council member and the former publisher of My Everett News.

The conveyer belt moves past a table with a selection of food options available at Kura Sushi on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Robots rule at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar in Lynnwood

Addition of the new restaurant makes Lynnwood the unofficial conveyor-belt sushi capital of the county.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council to vote on budget amendment

The amendment sets aside dollars for new employees in some areas, makes spending cuts in others and allocates money for work on the city’s stadium project.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.