Updated at 3:36 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Five residents of Chehalis and Centralia were among 19 individuals arrested today during a sweep by federal drug authorities that netted more than 44 pounds of methamphetamine, fifty guns and at least $50,000 cash.
Today’s searches and arrests were led by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Washington, Arizona, and California, and originated from a February 2014 investigation by the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Law enforcement served 24 search warrants on locations in Washington and Arizona today More than 20 vehicles were searched in connection with the investigation.
Previous seizures associated with this drug ring include more than five pounds of meth and more than $28,000, U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes stated in a news release.
The Lewis County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team was among nearly 20 law enforcement agencies and groups involved. Other nearby agencies included the Vancouver Police Department, Grays Harbor County Drug Task Force, Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office and Thurston Narcotics Team.
Those arrested today for alleged ties to the methamphetamine distribution ring will make their initial appearances today and tomorrow in U.S. District Court in Tacoma at 2:30 p.m.
Those charged in the indictment include:
Jose Ernesto Mozequeda Vasquez, 34, Chehalis, Washington
Maria Centeno Gallegos, 37, Chehalis, Washington
Antonio De La Mora, 41, Centralia, Washington
Juan Salud Garcia Almanza, 30, Centralia, Washington
Violetta Rosalia Guadarrama, 32 Centralia, Washington
Jesus Beltran, 34, Phoenix, Arizona
Ernesto Luna Vasquez, 44, Kelso, Washington
Collin Mesinas, 28, Olympia, Washington
Aundrea Lynn Natins, 41, Port Orchard, Washington
William Hagmann, 54, Shelton, Washington
Jon Daniel Brownfield, 58, Shelton, Washington
Kimberly Brooke Gray, 36, Port Orchard, Washington
Rebecca Sue Godsalve, 52, Bremerton, Washington
Mark Agnew, 51, Gig Harbor, Washington
Isaela Pacheco Centeno, 22, Poulsbo, Washington
Teresa Goos, 55, Hoodsport, Washington
Derek Johnson, 29, Gig Harbor, Washington
Karen Kenmir, 55, Shelton, Washington
A nineteenth defendant, Gerardo Enrique Flores, 26, of Chula Vista, California, was arrested in California and will make his initial appearance on a criminal complaint in the Southern District of California.
Among the locations locally where search warrants were served, according to the DEA:
• 600 block Southwest 20th Street Chehalis
• Storage unit: 200 block Southwest Interstate Avenue, Chehalis
• 3000 block Ives Road, Centralia
• 500 block Jefferson Street, Centralia
• Storage unit: 5000 Ivan Way Southwest, Rochester
• 1800 block Lakeview Drive, Mossyrock
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
9 days and at least one is already out on bond. Seems to me like a 2 year investigation would have led to a solid enough case whereas bail/bond is denied.
Here is a link to an article on the decriminalization of drugs in Portugal (notice it is “decriminalization” not “legalization”…. they are still not legal, but they don’t punish, they treat, the addiction)
The declines have been noticeable and steady, though not outrageously enormous. But in this country, the graphs are ALL going in the wrong direction and we are spending more and more and more with no discernible change. We need to do something different.
https://mic.com/articles/110344/14-years-after-portugal-decriminalized-all-drugs-here-s-what-s-happening#.jPS4pZsN1
I’d like to know the address of the Bremerton resident and if its near me…….how do I find out ?
I like your style peabody lol
Good grief you are totally right. The American drug war is a joke. Legalize drugs and watch the crime rates fall to record lows. America needs to re think the position we have in drugs.
I 100% Agree with Sick of Tweekers!
There is a crazy idea of doing lock-down treatment instead of just jail. It isn’t nearly as satisfying as punishment, but it might have a better outcome. Maybe not at THIS level, but definitely for first time offenders. It costs us 30-50 thousand a year to keep these guys in jail… for ten, twenty years? Then they get out, no smarter, not educated about addiction, truly believing that time away from the drug somehow cured them. And the first time they drink a beer with a buddy or take pain meds for an injury, they addiction comes back and pretty soon they are back looking for a way to support the habit – which includes dealing. Not all should get treatment, but if the majority got it – long-term, at least a year or two, imagine how much money we might save? There are public health models working in some countries in Europe (like Portugal) where addiction rates and the accompanying crime are reduced significantly by treating addiction as a public health issue, not a moral failing or character defect.
Sick of Tweekers, I recommend useing a road flare eviction notice. They work great at relocating Tweekers.
I’m very happy to see this,I’m tired of seeing all this drug activity in my neighborhood,we are sick and tired of all the crime that goes along with drugs!kudos
You can bet a cartel is behind this little group and it exactly why a wall needs to be built along the border and why E-Verify should be mandatory for every employer. I can’t wait for inauguration day.
Sure wish they would deal with the dope dealers in Randle. Im about to start handling it myself. Especially the dealer down the road from my house. Its dead obvious whats going on there and ive heard from more than one person that theyre selling out of there. Constant traffic in and out all times of the day and night and no one stays more than a few mins. Not to mention everyone who goes back there are obvious tweekers.
Increase the budget of all law enforcement agencies, federal, state, county, and local. Including the military. Lets see much,much more of this activity, including on the borders.