TOPPENISH, Wash. – The Department of Justice announced Monday at a press conference in Toppenish the completion of a drug trafficking investigation, which resulted in 13 people being charged.
The investigation, done jointly by federal, local and tribal investigators, began in 2024. It was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Indian Affairs, targeting alleged drug traffickers on the Yakama Nation and in the Yakima Valley.
As a result of the investigation, officials seized 7,100 pounds of marijuana, 336 pounds of methamphetamine, 25 pounds of cocaine, 7 pounds of fentanyl powder, 4,704 fentanyl-laced pills, over $22,000 in drug proceeds and 12 firearms.
Those facing various drug trafficking and firearm possession charges include:
Angel Navarro Aleman, 55Jose Francisco Aguirre, 56Jose Caudillo-Ascencio, 23Jesus Caudillo, 31Johnny Thomas Axtell, 54Israel Nicolas Castaneda, 37Samantha Rasberry-Bea, 31Lonzell Hawk Lucci, 37Hollis Marion Woodward, 70Miguel Angel Alvarado-Munoz, 45Ira Charles Pete, 39Edgar Jovnni Nunez Bocanegra, 29Fernando Gonzalez, 38
