Jenny A. Durkan, U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, said at a press conference in White Center Friday morning (Oct. 21) that federal charges have been filed against 26 of the defendants, and another 27 face charges in King County Superior Court.

Sixty-eight guns, 52 pounds of methamphetamine, two pounds of crack cocaine, and more than 10 pounds of powder cocaine were seized during the investigation, which remained a top-secret operation until today’s announcement.

This was a cooperative effort by the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Violent Gang Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Homeland Security Investigation, the Washington State Department of Corrections and State Liquor Control Board, the King County Sheriff’s Office, Metro Transit Police, the Seattle and Burien Police Departments, and the Eastside Narcotics Task Force.

“This neighborhood willl not be a safe haven for criminals,” Durkan said. “It belongs to the families and people who live in White Center.”

King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg described Center of Attention as “an extraordinary effort by federal and local law enforcement to root out some of the major sources of crime and violence in the White Center community.

“For a single operation to uncover this many offenders involved in the illegal sale of guns and drugs is truly remarkable. My office is delighted to partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute some of the people who have had such a negative impact on this neighborhood.”

King County Sheriff’s Major James Graddon told The B-Town Blog that “when the community came to us saying ‘help us,’ we couldn’t say we were working on the problem in a covert and undercover operation. We appreciate the patience we received from the community.”

VIDEO: Here’s an interview with Satterberg as conducted by Mark Neuman:

Click here to view the embedded video.

We’ll be posting a more in-depth story, along with audio and video soon, but in the meantime here are some pics from the event as shot by Scott Schaefer:

U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan speaks at the press conference. To her left is King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg and ATF Special Agent in Charge Kelvin Crenshaw.

"These drugs are now off the street," said ATF Special Agent Kelvin Crenshaw.

A large contingent of local media were present at the conference.

There were some serious guns and drugs on display at the conference.

Map of the crime wave spread from West Seattle in the north, through White Center and into Burien.

On Friday (March 12), we received the following email from BTB Reader Jessica, who was concerned about what she thought was a S.W.A.T. team busting down the door of a Burien house on SW 143rd:

On my way home today at approximately 4:30 I saw about 12 swat team members marching up SW 143rd st. from 4th Ave.

With guns drawn and a battering ram they broke down the front door at XXX SW 143rd Street (ED. NOTE: address removed).

I snapped a photo from my phone and you can vaguely make out the swat team entering the house (see photo below).

As a resident of the neighborhood I am hoping you can find the reason behind this type of police work.

Thank you,
Jessica

Here’s Jessica’s cell phone pic – it’s hard to see clearly, but it appears that something’s going on at the front door:

We contacted Sgt. John Urquhart, Public Information Office of the King County Sheriff’s Department, who sent us this reply:

Not the SWAT team.

One of our neighborhood narcotics units.

The search warrant was for drugs and some cocaine was found.

The resident, age 43, was booked on felony drug charges.

That’s about it.

So, there ya go – it was just another major drug bust, not the S.W.A.T. team.

Just another day in Burien, huh?

“This was a joint mission with the Eastside Narcotics Task Force (ENTF) and SWAT on a search warrant for a grow house in Burien,” said Officer Carla Iafrate, Bellevue Police Public Information Officer. ”A couple flash bangs were used for distraction when breaching the doorway.  One adult male was arrested.”

The ENTF is a partnership of the King County Sheriff’s Office and police departments from Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and Mercer Island.

Bellevue P.D. was apparently involved because it was serving the search warrant, according to Sgt. John Urquhart of the Sheriff’s Department.

No other details of the operation are available at this time.

According to The Seattle P-I, a man was busted by Seattle SWAT officers on Jan. 7th outside the Burien Fred Meyer for allegedly trying to sell “cop killer” guns.

The story alleges that the man, a known sex offender, was also part of a white supremacist gang in prison, as well as having a long history of assaulting police officers and other assorted crimes.

The suspect, 36, has not yet been charged with gun crimes, but rather for failing to register as a sex offender. He also has a pending 2009 King County Superior Court charge for possession of a stolen vehicle.

The P-I goes on to say that police also found what they believe to be evidence of identity fraud in the man’s possession, including:

• An Acer Aspire laptop
• An All-In-One printer
• A black nylon bag containing documents and mail, blank checks, bank statements and other financial documents

Read the full story here.

• Several arrests
• Seizure of about 40 pounds of cocaine
• A pound of heroin
• Guns
• Methamphetamine
• About $240,000 in cash

Which was headquartered at the “El Flamingo” restaurant, which was reported as being “in Burien” according to authorities and the subsequent sheep-like press coverage (oops…including us…).

Well folks, guess what – this restaurant is NOT in Burien!

It’s actually outside the Burien city limits, in the Boulevard Park neighborhood, technically located in unincorporated King County at 1841 South 120th Street (across from Wayne’s World Tavern and near the Boulevard Park Library). We found the ding-dang place Sunday (that’s right – we were driving Mom around to various crime scenes) and took this photo:

Burien city limits are thus:

Here’s where the El Flamingo Restaurant is actually located:

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As you can see, this den of drugs, guns, cash and shady characters is not, was not, and never was “in Burien.”

Bah.

So, what can we, as proud Burienites, do to quell this common misperception about our lovely city?

Here are some suggestions, courtesy the B-Town Blog (city councilmembers, feel free to propose these as your own at the next meeting):

1. Post numerous, very large “You Are Now Leaving Burien” signs near sketchy neighborhoods:

2. Within said sketchy, still un-annexed neighborhoods, post these signs everywhere:

3. Like cops do at murder scenes, do a giant chalk outline around the actual Burien city limits:

4. Install ginormous, powerful Invisible Fences (the kind that shock dogs if they stray) and require all police and media members to wear collars 24/7, so that whenever they enter or leave Burien’s city limits they get zapped. Rest assured, nobody will ever forget where Burien starts or ends:

So…have any of your own ideas?

Post ‘em in Comments below, and check back often, as we’ll surely be adding to this list…

A 10-month investigation by a law enforcement team, dubbed Operation “Pink Tiger,” resulted in several arrests and the seizure of about 40 pounds of cocaine, a pound of heroin, guns, methamphetamine and about $240,000 in cash.

The operation was a joint effort carried out by the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Six suspects were arrested late Thursday and charged today with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. The arrests bring to 17 the total number of defendants charged in the case. One charged defendant remains a fugitive.

The operation took it’s name from the original target of the probe, who went by the nickname “Tigre,” and the fact that cocaine was wrapped in distinctive pink cellophane.

The first arrests and indictments in the case occurred in late March 2008, with the arrest of 10 people for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.

This investigation used court-authorized wiretaps, which were left in place even after the first round of arrests. The wiretaps lead to additional evidence which resulted in the additional arrests.

Last night, law enforcement executed seven search warrants and seized more than 16 kilos of cocaine, three guns and more than $203,000 in cash. Four cars also were seized.

An additional person was arrested for involvement in the drug conspiracy, but later was released when he was found to be a juvenile.

Eight search warrants were served on March 25, which resulted in ten arrests, seizure of two kilos of cocaine and a pound of heroin. In addition law enforcement seized three guns, eight cars and $40,000 in cash.

The drug-trafficking organization was based in Burien and had direct ties to Sinaloa, Mexico, said Special Agent-in-Charge Arnold R. Moorin.

“The organization was large, well-established and was distributing more than 30 kilograms of cocaine per month in the greater Seattle area, Moorin said.

Domingo Bailon-Yanez, 30, of Burien, was identified as the alleged leader of that distribution ring. El Flamingo Restaurant is owned by a relative of Bailon-Yanez, and both the manager of the restaurant, Rigoberto Sabalsa-Lozano, 43, of SeaTac, and bartender Carla Rodriguez-Romero, 26, of Kent, have been charged in the case.

Conspiracy to distribute the amounts of drugs involved in this case is punishable by a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison and a $4 million fine.

Use of a juvenile to facilitate a drug crime can add an enhancement to the sentencing range, under federal law.

SOURCE:

• KOMO News

The three family members were accused of paying drug addicts to shoplift glass art, Armani suits and other high-end goods from local stores in Seattle.

They fenced the stolen merchandise at the well-known Liberty Jewelry and Loan pawnshop at 116 Pike Street, according to prosecutors.

Leslie Calvo, 39, who ran the shop owned by her father, pleaded guilty to six counts of first-degree trafficking in stolen property, two counts of possession of stolen property and two other theft-related crimes.

She faces between 4 1/2 and nearly six years in prison at the sentencing for all three defendants June 13.

Her 71-year-old father, Martin D. Levy, pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree trafficking in stolen property, two counts of possession of stolen property and one count of second-degree solicitation to commit theft. He faces two to 2 1/2 years in prison.

Calvo’s husband, Richard, 38, who has a Burien dental practice and pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree trafficking and one count of first-degree possession of stolen property, faces up to a year in jail.

Leslie Calvo and her father originally faced charges such as leading organized crime and money laundering, which would have carried stiffer penalties, said her attorney, Allen Ressler.

Prosecutors from the state Attorney General’s Office would only accept the deal if all three pleaded guilty, and Leslie Calvo didn’t want to expose herself or her elderly father to additional prison time, Ressler said.

“She accepted the most responsibility and to some extent what motivates her is the desire to see this whole thing resolved, and the concern about going to trial and losing on the more serious offense,” he said.

The three are accused of selling glass pieces stolen from art galleries, shoplifted Coach purses, a $500 bananawood soap dish and other luxuries from Levy’s pawnshop. They also unloaded more than $300,000 worth of goods on eBay and kept some merchandise for themselves.

Investigators said the three used a group of street drug addicts who were willing to walk into a store or gallery, shoplift the goods and deliver them to the pawnshop — often with the price tags still intact.

The thieves were often given 10 percent of the retail value for each item and used it to support their drug habits, police said.

Police began investigating in March 2004 when they were tipped about a major fencing operation involving the pawnshop. One informant later told police he had been delivering stolen items to the store since 1988.

In July 2005, police searched Levy’s Mercer Island home, his pawnshop, and the Calvos’ West Seattle home and found hundreds of stolen items, including more than 300 glass-art pieces, golf clubs and electronic devices.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: You know in the Google Map below where it says "1 Review"? We happened to follow that link, where we found the following "review":

DANGEROUS DENTIST!!  

By Anonymous

Dr. Calvo is in practice w/ his father and sister. Although the rest of the family might be on the up-and-up, he is NOT! I think he is on drugs, one time in his chair was way too many. Face it you are placing your life in his hands and there are enough honest dentists out there. Dr. Calvo is currently facing 32 Felony charges, do your homework and get a reliable dentist! I personally FIRED Dr Calvo and now go to a dentist miles away!]

SOURCE:

• The Seattle P-I

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Fifteen people were indicted. A second garden shop in Auburn, Scitek Garden Supply, was also raided and shut down.

Two indictments unsealed today in federal court outline what the U.S. attorney’s office is calling “Operation Green Reaper,” which involved thousands of pot plants.

Over the past 15 months agents have raided at least 27 houses from Auburn to Lynnwood that they allege were part of the operation.

Between August 2006 and February of this year, agents say that more than $1 million moved through personal and business accounts associated with Scitek Garden Supply.

The defendants are charged with conspiracy and money-laundering.

Already in custody before today’s raids were Thiet Van Tran and Quyen The Nguyen. They and the others arrested today will appear before a U.S. Magistrate this afternoon.

The indictments identified Nguyen as the owner of Greenhouse & Garden Supply, and is accused of providing horticultural supplies to indoor marijuana growers, including “starter marijuana plants.” Similar allegations are made in the indictment against Scitek and its various owners.

The U.S. Attorneys Office will hold a news conference on the busts this afternoon.

SOURCE:

• The Seattle Times

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The two local men were identified as John Gerald House, 38, and Paul Peterson, 38. No further details were given.

The arrests followed a year-long investigation of a family-based group suspected of buying and selling wholesale quantities of crack and cocaine, said a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle.

Altogether, 15 people were indicted this week, and arrests were made Thursday morning in Seattle, Kent, Burien, Edmonds and Des Moines. Seized in the raids were eight firearms, more than $40,000 cash and a large amount of cocaine, officials said.

Neighbors of houses in Kent and Edmonds were awakened when local police officers and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms served arrests warrants at a home in each city at about 6 a.m.

“A minute to six we heard two loud bangs,” said Gary Chelin, who lives near the Edmonds home. “My wife and I got up, came out and looked at the street and it was lined end to end with minivans and SUVs full of police officers.”

According to records filed in the case, some of the suspects allegedly sold the drugs from their Edmonds residence and also from a business, Extreme Auto Detail, 11027-A 1st Avenue S. in Seattle.

Many of those arrested possessed firearms despite multiple felony convictions, according the officials.

The investigation, lead by the ATF Violent Gang Task Force, used court authorized wiretaps to uncover the group’s drug dealing and illegal weapons sales and possession.

In one recorded phone call, Gary Kilcup, 39, of Edmonds, Washington, discussed how he “coulda whacked that (victim) himself,” after his son was arrested in connection with a shooting, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Kilcup, his sister, Nicola Kilcup, 36, of Seattle, and her husband Shawn Vanell Piper, 38, allegedly were key players in the distribution ring.

One of their primary cocaine suppliers Jose A. Morales Victoria, 37, of Des Moines was also arrested.  All of the defendants arrested today made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Seattle today at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

“Drug trafficking and firearms are a deadly mix,” said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Sullivan. “The conversations recorded on the court authorized wire tap make clear the threat posed by those willing to protect their drug network with violence.”

“This operation has shown the diversity of the gang members in our communities.  It included almost all ethnicities in the gang culture as well as both genders,” said Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Division, Kelvin N. Crenshaw.

According to records filed in the case, Piper and Nicola Kilcup allegedly sold crack and powder cocaine from their home and the auto detail shop.

Throughout the investigation Piper, Kilcup and others sold cocaine to confidential informants.  Many of the sales were captured on audio and video.  Some of those arrested today are affiliated with area street gangs.

A grand jury returned a 19-count indictment against the group on Wednesday, charging conspiracy, cocaine distribution, and weapons violations.

Other suspects indicted by the grand jury were

• Cedric Barquet, 37, Seattle
• Tanfred Arnez Russell, 36, Seattle
• John Gerald House, 38, Burien
• Christopher Terrill Scott, 33, Kent
• Lavelle Daniel, 31, Seattle
• Deandre Offord, 31, Seattle
• Paul Peterson, 38, Burien
• Daima Anderson-Ross, Seattle
• Jermaine Satterwhite, 34, Seattle
• Alicia Sykes, 36, Seattle
• Jodie Taylor, 35, Seattle

SOURCE:

• KOMO-TV

Miguel Eden Villarreal is an illegal alien who will likely be deported back to Mexico following his prison term.

On July 31, 2007, Drug Enforcement Administration agents obtained a search warrant and searched the Burien apartment where Villarreal lived with his wife and two young children. Agents and King County sheriff’s officers uncovered methamphetamine, cocaine, packaging materials and $40,000 in cash.

Villarreal was arrested a few blocks away from the apartment. He told investigators that he had been in the United States illegally for about five months and had been dealing drugs for four months.

At Villarreal’s sentencing, U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik said Villarreal was “involved in moving massive amounts of one of the most dangerous drugs on the street.”

SOURCE:

• Seattle P-I