In coordinated arrests on Sept. 4 the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Seattle Police Department arrested eight people in connection to a drug trafficking conspiracy.

Members of the conspiracy allegedly maintained drug stash houses throughout the Pacific Northwest. Search warrants were served in Vancouver, Covington, Puyallup, SeaTac, Tukwila, Seattle and Tacoma.

“The members of this drug trafficking conspiracy brought meth, cocaine and heroin to our communities preying on those with addictions to line their own pockets,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. “This lengthy investigation led to seizures of illegal weapons as well as street drugs. This strong law enforcement collaboration is essential to keeping our communities safe.”

According to court records, the investigation of the drug trafficking organization began in Nov. 2011. Surveillance indicates the conspirators brought the drugs up from California and sold them at various locations ranging from auto wrecking yards in Auburn to outside restaurants at the Southcenter shopping mall. Many of the drug deals were made in or around the Juan Colorado Mexican restaurant on 14th Avenue South in Seattle.

“Today’s operation is just the beginning of the end for an aggressive drug and weapons trafficking organization,” said FBI Special Agent-In-Charge Laura M. Laughlin. “The FBI will continue to work with the Seattle Police Department, ATF and other law enforcement agencies to bring an end to the drugs, guns and violence that these criminals bring to our streets.”

Other law enforcement groups that were involved include the King County Sheriff’s Office, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Tacoma Police Department and the Valley SWAT Team.