BELLEVUE, WA (WDBJ) – Three Mexican nationals were arrested in Bellevue in connection with a major drug deal involving more than 25 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington announced Tuesday.
The defendants, Eber Omar Barrones-Madrid, 24, Juan Jose Prado-Estrada, 25, and Jose Manuel Ochoa-Sanchez, 27, face serious charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in a drug transaction in Bellevue.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), methamphetamine is a dangerous stimulant that speeds up the body’s nervous system. The crystal meth form, a more potent version, is particularly hazardous as it is made by cooking over-the-counter drugs with toxic chemicals, making it highly addictive and dangerous.
The incident began on January 29, when an undercover agent from Homeland Security Investigations began negotiations with a transnational drug organization to purchase crystal meth. The deal was set for the following day, with the suspects planning to exchange 30 pounds of crystal meth for $62,000 in cash in a Bellevue restaurant parking lot.
Once the undercover agents inspected the drugs, they directed the suspects to a nearby vehicle, claiming the money was inside. As law enforcement closed in to make the arrests, the suspects attempted to flee, but were swiftly taken into custody.
The charges against Barrones-Madrid, Prado-Estrada, and Ochoa-Sanchez are still allegations, and all three are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and keep communities safe from dangerous substances like crystal meth.
