Fourteen individuals have been indicted in connection with two drug trafficking rings operating in Seattle's International District and nearby homeless encampments. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced the arrests, which were part of an ongoing investigation into the trafficking of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine from California to Washington.
The defendants face charges across two separate indictments. The first indictment names seven individuals accused of conspiring to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. Among them are Octavio Salazar Palma from Federal Way and Alexander Emilio Cozza from Seattle. The second indictment involves another seven individuals charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.
“The indictment of five defendants in January 2025 was just the first step,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. “Now we are prosecuting fourteen additional defendants.”
Seattle Police Chief Shon F. Barnes remarked on the impact of the criminal organization: “For years, this criminal organization preyed on the homeless and drug addicted."
In March 2025 alone, law enforcement seized substantial quantities of drugs including 100 pounds of methamphetamine and 111 kilos of cocaine. Special Agent W. Mike Herrington highlighted ongoing efforts: “Thanks to the sustained investigative efforts...we are continuing the work we began in November 2023.”
On May 29, authorities executed search warrants across multiple locations in Washington, Oregon, and California. They confiscated over seven kilograms of cocaine, 18 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 57,000 fentanyl pills, 17 firearms, and $353,000 in cash.
David F. Reames noted the severity of the situation: “This trafficking group was a major supplier of deadly drugs...the fentanyl powder and pills our team seized could have yielded enough lethal doses to kill everyone in Seattle twice.”
Acting Special Agent Carrie Nordyke emphasized the broader impact: “Illegal drug trafficking devastates lives...Together we will push back.”
The investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative involving multiple agencies such as the FBI and DEA.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Casey Conzatti and Brian Wynne.
