SEATTLE, Wash. — 3 people were arrested after being indicted in a federal court today and charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Whatcom County according to a press release from US Attorney Brian T. Moran. The defendants were to make their initial court appearances today and tomorrow in US District Court in Seattle.
An undercover investigation involving federal and local agencies revealed the 3 were responsible for the distribution of thousands of pills tainted with potentially deadly fentanyl the press release said.
All 3 men are charged with suspicion of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Each is charged with other specific distribution counts as well between September 2020 and January 2021.
Today, 8 search warrants were executed, the release said, and law enforcement seized more than 5,000 fentanyl pills. Over the course of the investigation law enforcement has seized thousands of fentanyl pills and pound quantities of heroin and methamphetamine.
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Click for more informationDue to the amount of fentanyl involved, all 3 face mandatory minimum 10-year sentences if convicted according to the press release.
The 3 named in the press release are as follows.
JAIME HERNANDEZ HERNANDEZ, 21, of Ferndale, Washington, is charged with three additional counts of fentanyl distribution.
GORGE ORTIZ, 23, of Lynden, Washington, is charged with three additional counts of fentanyl distribution.
STANLEY STUBBS, 51, of Bellingham, Washington, is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm.From a press release from US Attorney Brian T Moran (February 23, 2021)
The investigation was conducted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) HIDTA Bellingham Residence Office, which is comprised of DEA, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S Customs and Border Protection. Local law enforcement agencies assisted with the arrests and search warrants executed today, including Whatcom County SWAT, Washington State Patrol SWAT, Homeland Security Special Response Team, Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit, Ferndale Police and Lynden Police.