Four Whatcom County men have been arrested by federal law enforcement for their alleged connection to a multi-state drug trafficking ring. The drug trafficking ring is also linked to supplying fentanyl to four members of the Lummi Nation Reservation who died of overdoses within four days in 2023.
In a news release sent by the Western District of Washington on Thursday, Oct. 3, 17 people, not including the four Whatcom County men, were arrested on Wednesday across Western Washington and parts of the nation in connection to the drug trafficking ring. Five of those arrested belong to one south King County family.
“The significance of this case is that a family drug trafficking organization expanded from Seattle beyond Washington state to locations across the country,” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “This group distributed more than 800,000 fentanyl pills throughout the United States, including in Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Montana, and Georgia. Together with our partners, this demonstrates the national impact of today’s operations by disrupting this source of supply.”
The investigation took two years and search warrants were executed across four states.
“This investigation revealed that the trafficking organization was a supplier to a community that was rocked by four fentanyl overdose deaths in just four days,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Fentanyl continues to claim lives in our community — especially in our Tribal communities. We will do all we can to stop the flow of this deadly drug.”
In September 2023, at least seven Lummi Nation tribal members died of fentanyl overdoses over two weeks. Three deaths happened within a 24-hour period.
In response, the Lummi Indian Business Council declared a state of emergency and placed traffic checkpoints on the reservation so tribal police could search cars for drugs.
Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire issued a statement Friday, Oct. 4, about the arrests.
“The devastating effects of fentanyl leave no one untouched,” he said. “Our hearts are heavy as we stand with our families, who are directly feeling the impacts caused by these drugs. As we continue to make meaningful steps to drive change, we send our love and support to all those affected.”
During the investigation, tribal and federal partners examined the phone of one of the overdose victims and found connections to the drug trafficking organization.
The four Whatcom County men arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration in connection to the investigation are Robert Bellair, 41, Ferndale, Thomas J. Morris, 42, Bellingham, Patrick James, 40, Bellingham, and Ronald Finkbonner, 50, Bellingham.
The men were allegedly linked to the drug trafficking organization by phone communication and surveillance, Gorman said.
Law enforcement seized more than 846,000 fentanyl pills, nearly 7 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 7 kilograms of cocaine and 29 firearms, Gorman said. They also seized more than $116,000 in cash.
Law enforcement involved in the investigation include: the FBI, DEA, Seattle Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office, Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force, the Lummi Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and United States Border Patrol Blaine Sector Targeting and Intelligence Division.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
