The leader of a drug distribution cell based in Everett that was distributing drugs in Whatcom County was arrested Tuesday by investigators from the Whatcom Gang and Drug Taskforce.
Mikel Escandon-Tibillin, 37 from Everett, was booked into Whatcom County Jail around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 after he was arrested by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department for probable cause relating to delivery of a controlled substance, leading organized crime and money laundering.
As a result of the arrest, investigators seized more than 70 pounds of suspected narcotics, including cocaine, fentanyl-laced pills, methamphetamine and heroin, according to Deb Slater, a public information officer with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department.
Investigators believed Escandon-Tibillin had been running the drug ring in Whatcom County for years, distributing fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, according to Slater.
Task force investigators were monitoring 34-year-old Austin Grimme from Bellingham, a suspected drug and firearm trafficker, when he met with individuals linked to Esacandon-Tibillin, according to Slater.
Grimme was arrested in May during a traffic stop and was found in possession of a suspected fentanyl-laced powder, according to Slater. A search of Grimme’s home also found ghost guns — firearms without serial numbers — and materials to construct the firearms. He was arrested on probable cause for possession with intent to deliver, three counts of unlawful possession of firearms and unlawful firearms.
At the same time, investigators learned that the distribution ring worked like a dispatch service, with drugs ordered over the phone and so-called couriers filling the orders, according to Slater.
Investigators also observed Washington Ruiz Bomboza, 22, and Edwin Vite Delgado, 26, engaging in suspected drug trafficking activity during regular trips to Whatcom County, according to Slater. Bomboza and Delgado became persons of interest.
Investigators were able to conduct two controlled buys of drugs during June and July and confirmed Bomboza, Delgado and Esacandon-Tibillin were involved in the distribution ring, according to Slater.
On Monday, investigators arrested Bomboza and Escandon-Tibillin after seeing them meet in a parking lot in Bellingham, according to Slater. A search warrant issued on their vehicle yielded fentanyl-laced powder, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.
During a search of two apartments on Tuesday, Aug. 6 in Everett in connection to the drug investigation, law enforcement found 24 pounds of suspected cocaine or fentanyl-laced powder, 32 pounds of suspected fentanyl-laced pills, 12 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, 3 pounds of suspected heroin and more than $60,000 in suspected drug proceeds, according to Slater.
Delgado and 26-year-old Katerin Arangure-Arangure were at the apartments and were arrested in connection to the case, according to Slater.
All four are currently in custody at the Whatcom County jail on probable cause charges ranging from possession with intent to deliver, delivery of a controlled substance and money laundering, according to the online jail log. Bail amounts range from $500,000 for Escandon-Tibillin to $150,000 for Ruiz Bomboza. Bail amounts were not listed for Delgado and Arangure-Arangure.
Investigators believe many of the drugs seized were destined to be sold in Whatcom County, according to Slater.
Sheriff Donnell Tanksley said in a statement that the dispatch-model of drug distribution has become more frequent in recent years.
“The Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force partners with local and federal agencies to combat these groups to make the biggest impact on preventing the flow of these dangerous drugs to our communities,” Tanksley stated.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
