SEATTLE — A Mexican citizen who previously lived in Kent will be spending the next 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
Ramon Duarte Garcia was arrested in June 2024 after a nearly four-year drug investigation. Between 2020 and June 2024, investigators seized more than 32 kilograms of cocaine, 14 kilograms of methamphetamine, 83,000 fentanyl-laced pills, 3 kilograms of heroin, and 1 kilogram of fentanyl powder, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“In this investigation, federal and state investigators worked from the streets of Seattle to drug suppliers in Mexico and Colombia,” said acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “Repeat stops by law enforcement did not stop this defendant as he brought large loads of narcotics to our community. Significant prison time is needed to stop his trafficking.”
Case records showed that even after the stops in July and December 2023 — when methamphetamine, cocaine, and two guns were found in his vehicle –- his drug trafficking activity continued.
During a search of Garcia’s car on Dec. 4, 2023, authorities seized 13 kilograms of cocaine, a loaded Sig Sauer 9 mm semiautomatic pistol, pistol magazines and ammunition, a shell casing, $1,716 in cash drug proceeds, a knife, and a drug ledger.
Investigators also found what were suspected to be bullet fragments in the car’s side paneling.
The DEA said Garcia overstayed his visa to be in the U.S. and will likely be deported following his prison term.
