An Everett, Washington man has been handed a six-year prison sentence for his role as a major fentanyl distributor, U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd announced. Lamin Saho, 40, known by the alias "Buck," was ensnared by a wiretap investigation leading to multiple arrests throughout 2024 and 2025. The operation spanned from Kent to Everett, with two main distribution points in Seattle's University District. According to the Department of Justice, the ring was notorious not just for drug trafficking but also for associated gun violence.
Judge John H. Chun underscored the detrimental impact of fentanyl in the community while delivering the sentence, stating, "Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that has devastated far too many lives. One has only to walk out on the streets of Seattle to see how it has devastated our community," as reported by the Department of Justice. Wiretap evidence revealed Saho as a key player in the group, trafficking up to 10,000 fentanyl pills at a time, which federal prosecutors emphasized could have been lethal with each dose. Despite a significant setback when authorities confiscated 5,000 pills from Saho during a traffic stop, he persisted in his illegal activities until the end of the surveillance period.
The extensive operation also yielded the seizure of 200,000 fentanyl pills, four kilograms of cocaine, various firearms, and substantial cash alleged as drug proceeds. Several other members of the drug ring received prison sentences ranging from four to ten years. This case is part of a concentrated effort by the Homeland Security Task Force to eradicate criminal cartels and drug trafficking organizations. A special focus is placed on offenses involving child trafficking and crimes against children, with the aim of closely prosecuting and expelling the most violent criminal aliens from the U.S.
Authorities have closed in on the network, with HSI acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller highlighting their unwavering commitment to "combatting the lethal effects of fentanyl in our communities," as noted by the Department of Justice. Meanwhile, Robert A. Saccone, DEA Seattle Field Division Special Agent, stressed the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in disrupting drug operations and striving towards a fentanyl-free America. Upon the completion of his prison term, Saho, a Gambian citizen without legal U.S. immigration status, is likely to face deportation.
The successful investigation was a joint effort by law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Seattle Police Department (SPD), and the FBI, among others. Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Jensen and Joseph Silvio led the prosecution, demonstrating a formidable stand against the dire issue of fentanyl distribution in the region.
