The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office revealed that they have made five arrests in connection with an ongoing investigation by the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force. The investigation focuses on a drug trafficking organization that has allegedly been distributing controlled substances within the county for an extended period.
According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, the investigation resulted in the confiscation of over 70 pounds of narcotics.
Authorities believe that the organization is being led by Mikel Leandro Escandon Tibillin, a 37-year-old resident of Everett, where the drug distribution cell is located. On Tuesday, Escadon Tibillin was apprehended by the Sheriff’s Office.
In May, authorities were keeping a close eye on Austin Grimme, a 34-year-old resident of Bellingham who was suspected of being involved in drug and firearm trafficking. Grimme reportedly met with individuals connected to Escandon Tibillin while under surveillance, as stated in the news release. Grimme was taken into custody on May 17 when law enforcement discovered 3 ounces of a substance believed to be laced with fentanyl in his car during a routine traffic stop.
Investigators discovered that Grimme was utilizing a 3D printer to produce automatic firearms. The individual was taken into custody under suspicion of possessing firearms with the intention to distribute, as well as unlawfully possessing firearms and manufacturing undetectable firearms.
Two individuals, Washington Mishael Ruiz Bomboza, 22, and Edwin Lenny Vite Delgado, 26, were apprehended this week due to their alleged participation in drug trafficking. Detectives noticed their frequent visits to Whatcom County, leading to their arrest. Katerin Arangure-Arangure, 26, and Vite Delgado were apprehended at their residence in Everett on charges of money laundering and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.
The drug distribution network operated like a delivery service, where drugs were requested via phone and couriers fulfilled the orders, according to the release. Investigators have placed orders for drugs on two occasions using the service, which provides further evidence of the involvement of Escandon-Tibillin, Ruiz Bomboza, and Vite Delgado.
Ruiz Bomboza and Escandon-Tibillin were apprehended on August 5 during a rendezvous in a Bellingham parking lot. During a vehicle search, authorities discovered various narcotics, resulting in the arrest of Escandon-Tibillin on charges of delivering a controlled substance, participating in organized crime, and money laundering.
Search warrants were executed on two apartments in Everett as part of the ongoing investigation.
Katerin Arangure-Arangure, 26, and Vite Delgado were approached by law enforcement officers while their apartments were being searched. Arangure-Arangure has been apprehended on charges of money laundering and possession of controlled substances with the intention to distribute.