The extensive drug trafficking probe that has engulfed the Seattle region saw its final defendant, Kendle Rashen Hawkins, entering a guilty plea in U.S. District Court, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Hawkins, a 34-year-old from Goodyear, Arizona, pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The guilty plea marks the culmination of a joint effort by the FBI and the Seattle Police Department, resulting in the arrests of 41 individuals involved in the trafficking ring, with most arrests occurring in two major takedowns in 2021. Facing a mandatory minimum of ten years due to the quantity of drugs, Hawkins's connection to the operation was unveiled through an investigation that tracked his cell phone from Phoenix to Seattle and led law enforcement to discover an astounding 50,000 fentanyl pills and five firearms inside an intercepted rental vehicle.
At the center of Hawkins's indiscretions, records show that the defendant transported significant amounts of drugs concealed within vehicles, and his arrest was a crucial piece in dismantling a network responsible for distributing not only fentanyl but other narcotics such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced that Hawkins is scheduled for sentencing on November 8, by U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez.
The broader investigation, part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, also led to the seizure of 121 firearms, over 16 kilograms of cocaine, 5.5 kilograms of fentanyl, nearly 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, illegal marijuana plants and processed marijuana, approximately $1 million in cash, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia. These substantial seizures and arrests underscore an ongoing commitment to dismantling criminal organizations that pose a threat to public health and safety. Sentencing outcomes thus far vary widely, ranging from time served to more than eight years in prison.
The successful operation drew on resources from several law enforcement agencies, including the DEA, HSI, and IRS-CI, painting a picture of a united front against the complex web of illicit drug distribution. Assistant United States Attorneys Erin H. Becker and Lyndsie Schmalz are credited with prosecuting this ambitious case, representing yet another strategic strike in the continuous battle against the opioid crisis and the illegal arms trade in United States.
