12 have been indicted in connection with a violent drug trafficking gang that distributed fentanyl in Seattle and Everett, with one of the indicted from Federal Way and another from Kent.
On Oct. 31, the United States Department of Justice released a press release stating that 31 locations were searched by some 600 law enforcement from 10 different agencies on Oct. 30, resulting in a total of 12 people being indicted and 11 arrested, though three are still being sought, and two were arrested on criminal complaints, but not part of the indicted. These arrests and indictments were in connection to a violent drug trafficking gang that distributed fentanyl in Seattle and Everett, the release said.
The press release said this series of arrests occurred over a 48-hour period but was part of a larger effort that included a year-long wire-tap investigation that led to the indictment of 11 defendants on drug distribution and weapons charges. According to the release, the twelfth defendant, Khaliil Ahmed, 26, from Kent, supplied guns to members of the conspiracy and was charged in a separate indictment on three counts of illegal weapons possessions and one count of illegal possession of ammunition in connection with a deadly shooting at a Hookah bar in South Seattle, and a separate occasion. Ahmed’s indictment brought the total indictments to 12.
“These defendants were prolific fentanyl dealers who were frequently armed when guarding their stash or distributing their drugs,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington Tessa M. Gorman. “The danger to the community cannot be overstated in this case. The leader of the drug crew was gunned down last summer – right in front of one of the U District locations where members of the crew distributed their poison, and continued do so, following the deadly shooting.”
The release said the Federal Way suspect is Alvin Whiteside, 51, aka “Mafia.” Whiteside is charged with conspiracy, one count of possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute, and one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Whiteside was not among the 11 arrested as he was already in state custody and will be transferred to federal custody, according to the release.
Throughout the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 19 kilograms of fentanyl, 12 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash, according to the press release. The release added that during the operations on Oct. 30, over 50 firearms including fully automatic weapons and handguns with Glock switches, thousands of rounds of ammunition including high-capacity drum magazines and armor-piercing rounds, several hundred thousand dollars of bulk cash and jewelry, and one kilogram of fentanyl and four kilograms of cocaine were seized.
The release said the group had two distribution sites in Seattle’s University District, which they referred to as ‘the House’ and ‘the Office.’ The release added that the defendants arrested over the last two days have or will appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
Those indicted, arrested, or both
•Alvin Whiteside, aka “Mafia, 51, of Federal Way, is charged with conspiracy, one count of possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute, and one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
•Cooper Sherman, aka “Cooper,” 27 of Seattle, is charged with conspiracy, two counts of possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
•Muhamed Ceesay, aka “Mo,” 27, of Lynnwood, is charged with conspiracy, two counts of distributing fentanyl, one count of possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime–remains a fugitive.
The following people are charged in the indictment for drug conspiracy and various drug distribution crimes, but not gun crimes.
•Ali Kuyateh, aka “Pops,” 49, of Seattle, is charged with drug conspiracy and various drug distribution crimes
•Lamin Saho, aka “Buck,” 38, of Everett is charged with drug conspiracy and various drug distribution crimes
•Oche Poston, 31, of Everett, is charged with drug conspiracy and various drug distribution crimes
•Jaquan Means, 45, of Bellevue, is charged with drug conspiracy and various drug distribution crimes
•Matthew Robinson, 37, of Everett, is charged with drug conspiracy and various drug distribution crimes
•Yohannes Wondimagegnehu, aka “Jon,” 35, of Seattle, is charged with drug conspiracy and various drug distribution crimes
•Dominque Sanders, 34, of Everett, is charged with drug conspiracy and various drug distribution crimes—remains a fugitive.
•Patrick Smith, 27, of Edmonds, is charged with drug conspiracy and various drug distribution crimes—remains a fugitive.
•Khaliil Ahmed, aka “Bossup,” 26, of Kent, is charged in a separate indictment on illegal weapons possessions.
These two people were arrested on criminal complaints, though not indicted.
•Anteneh Tesfaye, 39, of Edmonds.
•Michael Janisch, 25, of Mercer Island.
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