By Jack Belcher / The Bellingham Herald
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday announced five arrests have been made as part of a Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force investigation of a drug trafficking organization suspected of distributing controlled substances within the county for years.
The investigation led to the seizure of more than 70 pounds of narcotics, according to a sheriff’s office press release.
Authorities suspect the organization is led by Mikel Leandro Escandon Tibillin, 37, of Everett, where the drug distribution cell is based. Escadon Tibillin was arrested by the sheriff’s office on Tuesday.
In May, investigators were monitoring suspected drug and firearm trafficker Austin Grimme, 34, of Bellingham. Grimme met with individuals linked to Escandon Tibillin while investigators were monitoring him, according to the news release.
Grimme was arrested May 17 after authorities found 3 ounces of suspected fentanyl-laced powder in his vehicle during a traffic stop. Investigators also learned Grimme was using a 3D printer to manufacture automatic firearms. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to deliver, three counts of first-degree unlawful firearm possession and manufacture of undetectable firearms.
Washington Mishael Ruiz Bomboza, 22, and Edwin Lenny Vite Delgado, 26, also were arrested this week for their suspected involvement in drug trafficking, as detectives observed them making regular trips to Whatcom County.
Katerin Arangure-Arangure, 26, was arrested with Vite Delgado at their Everett apartment on suspicion of money laundering and possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver.
The drug distribution network worked like a dispatch service, with drugs ordered over the phone and couriers filling the orders, the release said. Investigators ordered drugs twice using the service, confirming the involvement of Escandon-Tibillin, Ruiz Bomboza and Vite Delgado.
Ruiz Bomboza and Escandon-Tibillin were arrested Monday while they met in a Bellingham parking lot. A search of the vehicle turned up multiple types of narcotics, and Escandon-Tibillin was arrested on suspicion of delivery of a controlled substance, leading organized crime and money laundering.
Investigators served search warrants Tuesday on two Everett apartments linked to the investigation.
Katerin Arangure-Arangure, 26, and Vite Delgado were contacted by law enforcement during the search of the apartments. Arangure-Arangure was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver.
Seizures made at the apartments included:
• 24 pounds of suspected cocaine or fentanyl-laced powder;
• 32 pounds of suspected fentanyl-laced pills;
• 12 pounds of suspected methamphetamine;
• 3 pounds of suspected heroin; and
• Over $60,000 in suspected drug proceeds.
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