News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2010
Contact: Jodie Underwood
Number: (206) 553-5443

Four Men Arrested In Connection With Over 26 Pounds of Meth

JUN 1 -- (Seattle) – A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) led task force and members of the Snohomish County Regional Drug Task Force arrested four Snohomish County men on May 28, 2010, after the seizure of approximately 26 ½ pounds of crystal methamphetamine. The crystal methamphetamine was destined for distribution in the greater Seattle area.

“Illicit methamphetamine is an addictive and socially destructive drug,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Thomas. “The arrests of these men and this substantial seizure are equivalent to approximately 2 million user doses of methamphetamine that will not be distributed in our community. That’s a cogent gain for public safety. In this case, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies joined forces to target this sophisticated drug trafficking organization. They were able to put an end to their criminal operations.”

According to the criminal complaint, the six month investigation revealed that Sebastian Dominguez-Esqueda was selling pound quantities of highly pure crystal methamphetamine, known as “Ice”, and kilogram quantities of cocaine. During the course of the investigation, Dominquez-Esqueda sold ounce quantities of crystal methamphetamine to law enforcement and brokered a deal for a large meth purchase with Jose Hernandez-Plascencia, a source of supply. Subsequently, the investigation revealed other individuals involved in the supply chain, including Juan Manuel Urzua-Enciso and Carlos Zepeda-Aguirre, who worked together to distribute meth in the Everett area. Laboratory results revealed that the methamphetamine ranged from 85% to 98% purity. On May 28, 2010, Carlos Zepeda-Aguirre and Urzua-Enciso were arrested after they delivered 25 pounds of crystal methamphetamine to law enforcement. Two federal search warrants were executed in Everett, Washington where law enforcement seized an additional one and half pounds of crystal methamphetamine, four handguns, packaging material and US Currency.

This afternoon the four men will appear in U.S. District Court for the following charges:

• Sebastian Dominquez-Esqueda, 37, of Mexico: Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
• Jose Hernandez-Plascencia, 40, of Mexico: Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Distribution of Methamphetamine.
• Juan Manuel Urzua-Enciso, 34 of Mexico: Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
• Carlos Hugo Zepeda-Aguirre, 32, of Mexico: Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine are punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life in prison, and up to a $4 million fine. Distribution of Methamphetamine is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine, as charged. The punishment is driven by the quantities involved and the charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The DEA led task force (TF) is a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area TF which receives supplemental funding from the Northwest HIDTA. The case was investigated by the DEA HIDTA Task Force with assistance from the Snohomish County Regional Drug Task Force. The DEA HIDTA Task Force consists of the Seattle Police Department, the King County Sheriff’s Office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.