Two major drug busts in recent weeks in Thurston County

The Thurston Narcotics Task Force (TNT) was able to intercept 10,000 “M 30” pills last month and 35,000 more in April. 

On the morning of May 10, 2021, investigators met with a confidential source (CS) who was in contact with “Manuel” in Sinaloa, Mexico. The CS and “Manuel” had a multi-month relationship regarding drug trafficking and “Manuel” was believed to be the contact who sets up deals throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Beginning in March 2021, the CS and “Manuel” discussed a deal for pressed fentanyl pills that were stamped “M 30” (usually Oxycodone). The original negotiating price was at $5 per pill, which would have been a $50,000 deal.

“Manuel” agreed to have 10,000 pills delivered to the Pilot Truck Stop at 2430 93^rd Ave SW in Tumwater. The plan was to send the pills to the truck stop, then once there, move the deal to the Comfort Inn. “Manuel” told the CS that he would send one of his people with the pills to meet the CS to conduct the transaction.

Taken into custody during that bust was Delvin Obed Quezada Urias who had a giftbag on the passenger seat floorboard of his Ford Explorer with 10,000 fentanyl pills marked with “M 30” on each. Three total cell phones were located in the front area of the vehicle.

Quezada Urias was booked into the Thurston County Jail for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

April arrests

In early April, the Thurston Narcotics Task Force (TNT) arranged a buy/bust operation for over 70,000 fentanyl pills from a Mexican drug trafficking organization (DTO) in Tumwater last month.

Each fentanyl pill had a price of $4 per pill, totally $280,000 for the total price.

The alleged sellers were Santana Benitez Dimas, Refugio Noel Martinez Carrillo, Edgar Guadalupe Serrano Sanchez. Each were booked into the Thurston County Jail.

The agreement was a split of 70,000 pills; 35,000 upfront and then another 35,000 pills after they confirmed money from the buyer.

Benitez Dimas and Martinez Carrillo were busted at a local motel where the exchange occurred. On the passenger side of their car’s floorboard was a shopping bag containing multiple clear Ziploc bags with light blue colored pills inside.

Thurston Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Wayne Graham wrote the following statement to The JOLT:

“The Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office remains committed and focused on holding accountable the individuals who continue to bring these unlawful drugs into our community. The sheer amount of drugs involved in these successful investigations by law enforcement should be concerning.”