Federal agents say they’ve dismantled drug ring in Marysville

Published 11:01 am Thursday, January 22, 2026

EVERETT — Federal agents arrested multiple individuals in connection with drug and firearms trafficking in Marysville, the United States Border Patrol chief announced Wednesday.

The announcement pertained to four individuals The Herald reported on earlier this month, a United States Attorney’s Office spokesperson confirmed. Two of the individuals reside in Snohomish County.

Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol agents reportedly dismantled a drug and firearms trafficking ring, resulting in the seizure of weapons and narcotics, according to a social media post by Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks.

In a coordinated surge with HSI, Border Patrol Agents dismantled a drug and firearms trafficking ring, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of weapons and narcotics.

These criminals will be fully prosecuted followed by an order of deportation. @hsiseattle @usbpchiefblw pic.twitter.com/CIC7CGswW4

— Chief Michael W. Banks (@USBPChief) January 21, 2026

A federal judge charged the individuals in federal court in Seattle in connection with the drug trafficking conspiracy involving around 20 pounds of cocaine, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.

Homeland Security Investigations agents identified the suspects over the summer, the release said. Initially, agents identified the lead defendant, Luis Donaldo Galeana Garcia, 29, a Mexican citizen residing in Marysville, as allegedly a major drug distributor in western Washington.

In late September, law enforcement learned of Galeana Garcia’s alleged intent to exchange around 20 pounds of cocaine for 15 pounds of methamphetamine and $155,000, the release said. Three other individuals were involved in the exchange, including Juan Carlos Garnica Pacheco, 33, of Everett, Lorena Esquivel, 35, and Dustin Ray Binion, 27, both of Bellingham.

Law enforcement intervened during the drug exchange, leading Galeana Garcia and Garnica Pacheco to abandon the car they were driving, the release said. Officers seized various vehicles and discovered 10 kilograms of cocaine and a 9mm firearm in the center console of one of the vehicles.

In early January, officers searched the suspect’s residences, where they found both Galeana Garcia and Garnica Pacheco had multiple firearms and ammunition for semiautomatic weapons, the release said.

Jan. 12, Magistrate Judge Kate Vaughan ordered Galeana Garcia be detained due to concerns he was a flight risk and a danger to the community, the release said. Due to the amount of narcotics involved in the case, the suspects face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.

Those arrested face deportation, the post said.

Jenna Millikan: 425-339-3035; jenna.millikan@heraldnet.com. X: @JennaMillikan