Two Tacoma men have been arrested after being linked to a drug-trafficking scheme that is allegedly connected to four fatal overdoses on the Lummi Nation reservation in Whatcom County.
Following a two-year investigation, 17 people were arrested on indictments and criminal complaints for a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy. The ring allegedly distributed more than 800,000 fentanyl pills throughout states such as Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Montana and Georgia, according to a Department of Justice news release .
Michael Young Jr, 43, and Diallo Redd, 34, of Tacoma, were named in the indictment. Young was arrested along with nine others where they were detained at the Federal Detention Center at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the release said.
Redd was arrested in Montana through an indictment there, the release said.
“The significance of this case is that a family drug trafficking organization expanded from Seattle beyond Washington state to locations across the country,” Richard A. Collodi, special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle field office, said in the release.
At the head of the drug ring was 31-year-old Marquis Jackson, 31, the release said. The indictment includes his family members, including his parents, Mandel Jackson, 50, and Matelita (Marty) Jackson, 49, of Renton. It also includes Markell Jackson, 21, and Miracle Patu-Jackson, 22.
The south King County family is accused of drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies. Markell Jackson is a fugitive, the release said. Matelita (Marty) Jackson and Miracle Patu-Jackson were released on bond.
The other people indicted are:
Edgar Valdez, 26 of Phoenix
Keondre Jackson, 29 of Wichita, Kansas
Sir-Terrique Devon Milam, 20 of Federal Way
Tyrell Lewis, 32 of Federal Way — a fugitive
Robert Johnson, 20 of Renton
Diyana Abraha, 22 of Seattle — a fugitive
Adean Batinga, 20 of Burien
Tianna Karastan, 21 of Seattle — a fugitive
Chad Conti, 47 of Covington, and Phillip Lamont Alexander, 48 of Des Moines ,were arrested in the Seattle area, the release said.
More than 846,000 fentanyl pills, nearly 7 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 7 kilograms of cocaine and 29 firearms were seized, the release said. Law enforcement also seized more than $116,000 in cash.
Four Lummi Nation tribal members died from fentanyl overdoses within a four-day period in September 2023. In response, the Lummi Indian Business Council declared a state of emergency for the escalating fentanyl crisis, the release said.
The Drug Enforcement Administration arrested four people on criminal complaints for fentanyl distribution in Whatcom County. Phone records and surveillance connected the four alleged traffickers to the drug ring, the release said.
The people arrested and charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute were:
Robert Bellair, 41 of Ferndale
Thomas J. Morris, 42 of Bellingham
Patrick James, 40 of Bellingham
Ronald Finkbonner, 50 of Bellingham
“The Drug Enforcement Administration’s top priority is to combat fentanyl traffickers responsible for deaths and misery in our communities,” David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division said in the release. “This case highlights the lengths to which DEA and our partners will go to ensure people trafficking fentanyl are held accountable for the suffering they cause.”
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