Law enforcement officials have reported that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel has established a significant presence in the small communities of western Washington. This follows the arrests of cartel-connected drug traffickers in the Puget Sound region. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent David F. Reames warned that the cartel's influence in the region poses a significant threat to many.
According to Reames, "The Jalisco Cartel is a significant threat to our community and the sentences today show the seriousness of the crimes of their affiliates here in the South Sound". He further added, "DEA appreciates the partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners as we close this investigation with a win for our community."
Alan Gomez-Marentes, a resident of Tukwila, Washington, was recently sentenced to 11 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to launder money. This followed an 18-month investigation into his drug trafficking organization by the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington. Gomez-Marentes, a Mexican citizen, was believed to be one of the key leaders of this cartel-connected crime ring. Other members also received lengthy sentences due to both the size of their organization and the amount of fentanyl involved.
Luis Arturo Magana-Ramirez, another member from Fife, Washington, was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The organization was responsible for trafficking large quantities of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into western Washington. After surveillance by law enforcement officers, Magana-Ramirez was frequently overheard on phone calls threatening individuals who owed money to the cartel with violence.
The Courier-Journal reports that several years ago, Juan Antonio Gonzalez-Carrillo was initially appointed by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel to lead this Washington drug organization. However, after falling out of favor, Gomez-Marentes was sent to take over the leadership, resulting in a surge of violence and increased profits. The organization operated from Port Orchard, a small town near Seattle. The town's 23-person police force was ill-equipped to handle members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. It is believed that infiltrating small communities in the United States forms part of the cartel's expansion strategy.
The Seattle Times reported that King County, which includes Seattle, recorded over 1,000 fentanyl overdose deaths in 2023. This constituted most of the 1,300 total overdose deaths for that year. Fentanyl-related fatalities increased by 47% in 2023 compared to 2022 and have risen by 500% in King County over the last four years.
According to information on the DEA's website, Reames began his tenure with the DEA in 1998 and was promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Division in 2023.
