Two members of a drug trafficking group with connections to Mexico were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Seattle, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Jose Rodolfo Aguilar Cortes, 23, from Federal Way, Washington, received a five-year prison sentence. Alex Ortiz, 21, from Auburn, Washington, was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
At the sentencing for Ortiz, U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson stated, “This is a serious offense involving dangerous drugs and a significant number of guns.”
Court documents show that both men were part of an organization that transported large amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into Western Washington for distribution. Cortes was indicted after authorities seized 14 kilograms of cocaine on March 24, 2024, in Lewis County. He was identified as one of the drivers moving drugs from California to the Northwest.
During the investigation into this trafficking ring, law enforcement recovered about 81 kilograms of methamphetamine, 49 kilograms of fentanyl pills, 15 kilograms of cocaine, and three pounds of marijuana. After his prison term ends, Cortes will be subject to four years of supervised release but is likely to be deported because he is a citizen of Mexico.
Ortiz operated a stash house for the group and lived with his cousin who has also been indicted. He followed instructions regarding delivering drugs and collecting cash for other members. When police executed search warrants at Ortiz’s residence on May 14, 2024, they found approximately $5,920 in cash along with eight firearms and ammunition throughout the home. Ortiz will serve five years of supervised release following his prison term. Judge Evanson recommended that Ortiz participate in a residential drug treatment program during incarceration.
In total, fifteen people have been charged as part of this drug ring; two others have pleaded guilty and received five-year sentences.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling major criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among multiple agencies led by prosecutors and intelligence experts. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The investigation involved several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, Seattle Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Oregon State Police, Portland Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Strike Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Centralia Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Casey Conzatti and Elyne Vaught are prosecuting the case.
