RAVEN Task Force Investigation Leads to Federal Indictments and Seizure of Large Amount of Suspect Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin and Firearms
(Pictures Below)
Last week, members of the RAVEN Task Force conducted an operation that led to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of a substantial amount of drugs and guns. (Approximately 68,000 suspected Fentanyl pills, 5 pounds of suspected Methamphetamine, more than a pound of Cocaine, Heroin, and four firearms)
Some may have seen the press release posted by the US Attorney’s Office (AUSA) detailing the arrests and seizures. This successful conclusion was a result of a lengthy, months-long investigation conducted by the RAVEN Task Force.
The multiple search warrants served and the arrests made that day were safely conducted with the assistance of the Spokane County Investigative Unit (SCIU) and Spokane Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) members.
Together, these groups were able to safely facilitate the operation and collect the proper evidence needed to refer the case to the AUSA’s Office, leading to the successful indictment of several illegal non-citizens, as well as the recovery of four firearms.
This was another excellent example of the dedication to teamwork and a common goal among state and federal partners to remove dangerous individuals and substances from our great Community.
The Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement & Narcotics (RAVEN) Task Force is a High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiative in the area that focuses on drug trafficking, illegal weapons, violent crimes, gang activity, and other associated street crime activity plaguing our Community.
The RAVEN Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local Investigators who work collaboratively to address crimes and criminals that threaten the safety of our Community. Member agencies include the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Police Department, Spokane Valley Police Department, Customs and Border Protection, Alcohol, Tabacco, and Firearms, Washington State Department of Corrections, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern Dist. of Wash. DOJ Press Release from July 1, 2024:
THREE MEN FACING FEDERAL CHARGES IN CONNECTION TO SEIZURE OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND THOUSANDS OF FENTANYL PILLS (PHOTO)
Spokane, Washington- Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that three men are facing federal drug charges. Osvaldo Guadalupe Soto-Orduno, Jose Roman Lizarraga Gerardo, and Jose Efrain Gonzalez Rodriguez were charged by criminal complaint with Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of a Mixture Containing Fentanyl and 500 Grams or More of a Mixture Containing Methamphetamine.
According to the complaint, on June 26, 2024, DEA investigators identified a Toyota Corolla, believed to be used to transport drugs, travel to a house in Spokane. Investigators observed Lizarraga and Soto get out of the Toyota and enter the home. Soto was then allegedly observed carrying a black bag into the house. A short time later, investigators observed Lizarraga and Soto exit the house with the bag and leave in the Toyota.
Law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of the Toyota. According to the complaint, Soto consented to a search of the vehicle. During the search, investigators located several large bundles of U.S. currency packaged in a manner which officers recognized as consistent with large scale drug trafficking.
The complaint further alleges that investigators later observed Gonzalez-Rodriguez and another man exit the residence carrying a black backpack and depart in an Acura sedan. A vehicle stop was conducted on the Acura. According to the complaint, investigators conducted a search of the Acura and located approximately 7,000 pills presumed to be fentanyl as well as two pounds of presumed methamphetamine inside the vehicle.
According to the complaint, investigators conducted a search of the residence and located 61,000 pills believed to be fentanyl, more than three pounds of methamphetamine, more than a pound of cocaine, a small quantity of heroin, and four firearms.
“The fentanyl epidemic is taking lives at an unprecedented pace,” stated U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “My office is committed to working with our with our law enforcement partners to remove large quantities of deadly drugs from the streets and to disrupt drug networks.”
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Spokane Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement and Narcotics (RAVEN) task force and the United States Border Patrol. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy J. Ohms.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "RAVEN Task Force Investigation Leads to Federal Indictments and Seizure of Large Amount of" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7