A year-long undercover drug investigation led to the arrests of two Vancouver men in possession of large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced the arrests of Juan Onofre Flores Carrillo, 48, and Jesus Daniel Valenzuela Ayala, 23. The two made their initial appearance in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma, Friday, March 15. They are charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, a news release by the Department of Justice (DOJ) stated.
According to the criminal complaint document, Flores Carrillo, aka “El Cholo,” was identified in early 2023 as a significant fentanyl pill dealer in southwest Washington, the release stated. Working with confidential informants, law enforcement made a series of “significant” drug buys from Flores Carrillo, according to the release. In one instance Flores Carrillo allegedly sold an informant 3,000 fentanyl pills. On another occasion he allegedly sold the informant a kilo of crystal methamphetamine. Twice Flores Carrillo allegedly sold high powered firearms, the DOJ added.
In January and February of this year, law enforcement worked to identify the stash house where Flores Carrillo allegedly kept his drugs. Flores Carrillo continued to make drug sales of heroin, as well as fentanyl, during that time, according to the news release.
On March 13, 2024, Flores Carrillo agreed to sell 10,000 fentanyl pills to undercover agents. Shortly after he turned over the drugs, he was arrested, the release stated. Law enforcement executed the court-authorized search warrant on the presumed stash house, as well. Inside they found large amounts of drugs and an AK-47 style rifle with a grenade launcher attached.
“The residence contained approximately seven pounds of fentanyl pills and 43 pounds of suspected methamphetamine,” stated the release. “The AK-47 was wrapped as if for resale. Valenzuela Ayala was the only occupant of the stash house and was arrested. Both men are citizens of Mexico who do not have legal status in the United States.”
Conspiracy to distribute narcotics in the amounts in this case is punishable by a mandatory minimum 10 years in prison and up to life in prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary Dillon and Max Shiner.
The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations as of now.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) with assistance from the Vancouver Police Department, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
