TWO SENTENCED IN MAJOR SEATTLE DRUG TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY TARGETING INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT AND “THE JUNGLE”

SEATTLE — Two Seattle-area men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin throughout Seattle’s International District and the homeless encampment known as “The Jungle” along Interstate 5. Federal authorities said the investigation dismantled a mid-level drug trafficking operation responsible for supplying significant quantities of narcotics while members armed themselves with high-powered firearms to protect their illegal enterprise.

Isai Gamboa Pacheco, 56, of Everett, Washington, was sentenced to six years in federal prison, while Sang Tran, 55, of Kent, Washington, was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to offenses connected to the conspiracy.

According to court records, the investigation began in November 2023, when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Seattle Police Department launched a joint effort targeting organizations trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin in Seattle’s International District, particularly around 12th Avenue and South Jackson Street, as well as the Interstate 5 encampment commonly known as “The Jungle.” Investigators said the organization supplied narcotics to areas already struggling with violent crime, addiction, and vulnerable populations.

Tran was arrested during the first coordinated enforcement operation in January 2025 after investigators intercepted communications indicating he was arranging the purchase of approximately one pound of methamphetamine for redistribution. When agents searched his residence, they recovered approximately 330 grams of cocaine, a loaded Taurus 12-gauge shotgun, additional rifles, ammunition, cash believed to be drug proceeds, jewelry, and multiple Rolex watches. Prosecutors said Tran admitted he possessed the firearms to protect both his narcotics and the proceeds generated through drug trafficking.

Investigators also determined that Tran laundered tens of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds through a nail salon business in an effort to conceal the source of the money. He pleaded guilty to money laundering in addition to the narcotics offenses.

Following the January arrests, investigators continued identifying additional members of the trafficking organization operating throughout Washington, Oregon, and California. During March 2025, law enforcement seized 100 pounds of methamphetamine, 111 kilograms of cocaine, 19 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 250,000 fentanyl pills, and four kilograms of heroin, with authorities estimating the narcotics had a street value approaching $3 million.

The investigation culminated in another large-scale enforcement operation on May 29, 2025, when authorities executed 16 search warrants in Washington, Oregon, and California. During those searches, investigators seized more than 18 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than seven kilograms of cocaine, over 57,000 fentanyl pills, 17 firearms, and more than $353,000 in cash believed to be connected to the trafficking operation.

Federal prosecutors said Isai Gamboa Pacheco was identified through court-authorized wiretaps negotiating kilogram-level cocaine transactions. When investigators searched his residence, they recovered more than $16,000 believed to be proceeds from narcotics trafficking. Searches of two vehicles linked to Gamboa Pacheco uncovered nearly three kilograms of methamphetamine and a Colt AR-15 rifle equipped with a drum magazine.

Gamboa Pacheco pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and being an alien in possession of a firearm. Court records show this was his second drug trafficking conviction, and prosecutors noted he had previously been removed to Mexico before illegally returning to the United States. At sentencing, the court found he had resumed trafficking narcotics on an even larger scale despite his previous conviction and removal.

The investigation was conducted as part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, a multi-agency effort focused on dismantling drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal enterprises, violent gangs, and other criminal networks operating throughout the United States.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Seattle Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the United States Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Washington National Guard Counterdrug Program, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, Oregon State Police, and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Conzatti and Brian Wynne.

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