DEA searching for 5 fugitives charged in heroin, meth trafficking investigation

SEATTLE -- The Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force is looking for five fugitives charged in a heroin and meth drug trafficking investigation.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts should text “TIP411″ and start your message with “TIPDEA” or go to DEA.gov.

A lengthy drug trafficking investigation of a criminal group with ties to California and Mexico has already resulted in seventeen arrests and the seizure of pound quantities of methamphetamine and heroin but these 5 are still on the loose.

Over the last 36 hours, teams of local, state and federal law enforcement agents searched twenty locations across the Puget Sound region in the culmination of an 18 month investigation involving court authorized wire-taps and extensive surveillance of members of the criminal group.

During the course of the investigation law enforcement seized more than 29 pounds of meth, more than 18 pounds of heroin, 6 pounds of cocaine, approximately $178,000 in cash and sixteen firearms, including five assault rifles.

“Heroin, and methamphetamine continue to wreak havoc in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “I commend the law enforcement professionals who investigated this drug trafficking organization, taking large loads of drugs off the street, while also gathering key evidence to make these arrests and prosecutions possible.”