Ricardo Zepeda and Abel Cornelio Morales: Six arrested in major Burien drug bust -- two still wanted in King County

zepedaWANTED IN KING COUNTY --
Just last week, King County sheriff's detectives, Burien Police and the DEA busted a major dope ring moving drugs and money back and forth from California to Washington.

Six suspects are in custody -- but two are still on the run: Ricardo Zepeda and Abel Cornelio Morales.

Deputies are asking for your help to find them and say it's likely they’re somewhere in south King County.

Stacks of cash, a bill counter, 30 pounds of heroin, meth and cocaine and a solid gold Rolex -- evidence recovered during  a five month undercover investigation of a large scale drug trafficking ring in south King County. "There's photos of bundles and bundles of narcotics that were wrapped up and placed in a bucket full of laundry detergent in an effort to conceal the smell,” describes King County Sgt. Cindi West.

Detectives say the smugglers used semi-tractor trailers to bring the narcotics in and ship the money back to California -- until officers intercepted one of the trucks in auburn. "We've got pictures of the three backpacks containing the almost $540,000 that were recovered from the semi-truck on the stop," adds Sgt. West.

That stop led to a search of a storage locker in Burien where investigators say they found more drugs and cash.

"This is a significant case,” Sgt. West adds explains. “If you can imagine, 30 pounds or narcotics being taken off the street, almost $800,000. It makes you wonder how much of the drugs had already been distributed before we broke this investigation and made these arrests."

But two of the suspects are still on the run:


    "These guys are big time distributors and we want to get these two off the streets and in jail where the other six are,” Sgt. West says.

    Ricardo Zepeda's criminal history includes convictions for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm and Taking a Motor Vehicle without Permission. He's 29 years old, 6’2” and weighs 235 pounds.

    Abel Cornelio Morales is 24 years old, 5'4" and weighs 138 pounds.

    If you can tell King County detectives where to find either of them, Crime Stoppers will pay you a cash reward of up to $1,000 per fugitive.

    You never have to give your name. It`s completely anonymous.

    Just call the hot line at 1-800-222-TIPS if you have any information that can help deputies track them down.