He was arrested again in June 2022 with two firearms and additional fentanyl pills. Wisniewski faces charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and two counts of illegal possession of firearms.
A Maple Falls, Washington resident, aged 38, was handed a six-year prison sentence today in U.S. District Court in Seattle for his involvement in the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman made the announcement. Jesse Witteveen was apprehended on November 1, 2022, after attempting to evade law enforcement at high speeds, throwing bags of drugs from his vehicle. During the sentencing, U.S. District Judge Lauren King remarked, “Knowing what drugs have done to your life, you chose to perpetuate the cycle of drug addiction in others.”
Court documents revealed that the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bellingham Resident Office (DEA), in collaboration with the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force, uncovered a drug trafficking ring distributing significant quantities of fentanyl and meth in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Surveillance by law enforcement, which commenced in April 2022, tracked the activities of multiple members of the drug conspiracy as they carried out their illicit drug transactions.
Law enforcement had their eyes on Witteveen on November 1, 2022, as he met with a drug supplier. They tailed him, but had to call off the surveillance when he sped off. Shortly after, Whatcom County Sheriff deputies tried to stop his car near Van Zandt. Witteveen didn't comply and sped away. During the chase, a bag containing fentanyl and methamphetamine was tossed out of the car. A search of Witteveen's home and vehicle revealed fentanyl pills, meth, cell phones, firearm parts, and ammunition.
In total, authorities confiscated: 11.5 kilos of fentanyl pills, 2.8 kilos of fentanyl powder, 5.7 kilos of cocaine, 1.6 kilos of heroin, and 8.7 kilos of crystal meth, along with over $186,000 in cash and nine firearms.
“Drug trafficking organizations are spreading fentanyl pills throughout our district – from rural areas to urban centers,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “I commend the coordinated efforts in Whatcom and Skagit Counties to expeditiously interdict these potentially deadly drugs.”
The initial criminal complaint outlined the interactions between multiple defendants and supplier Martinez Lopez, along with other drug customers. In April 2022, investigators observed Martinez Lopez meeting with defendant Adam Wisniewski, 41, from Bellingham, Washington at the Silver Reef Casino in Whatcom County. Wisniewski was subsequently apprehended with over 1,000 fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, and a firearm.
He was arrested again in June 2022 with two firearms and additional fentanyl pills. Wisniewski faces charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and two counts of illegal possession of firearms. Due to a prior felony drug possession conviction in 2011 at Whatcom County Superior Court, Wisniewski is prohibited from owning firearms.
In the month April 2024, during a sentencing hearing, Judge Lauren King noted 42-year old Wisniewski’s criminal history saying, his life “had been somewhat of a revolving door of offenses and imprisonment.” Judge King recommended the Bureau of Prisons residential drug treatment program for Wisniewski to treat his addiction. He was to eight years in prison for drug distribution and illegal firearms possession.
The notorious drug ring leader, Enoc Martinez Lopez, also known as "Victor," aged 29 from
Marysville, Washington, has been handed an eight-year prison sentence. Meanwhile, defendant Manuel Garcia Munoz, aged 21 and hailing from Marysville, Washington, faces charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and the distribution of heroin. These charges stem from a heroin sale that took place in June 2022.
Another defendant, Casey Landis, aged 39 from Bellingham, has been charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, including methamphetamine and fentanyl. In October 2022, Landis carelessly left a fanny pack on a counter at Silver Reef Casino, which was later discovered to contain fentanyl and meth. Further investigation into Landis' phone unveiled a plethora of incriminating drug trafficking text messages exchanged with both Martinez Lopez, the drug supplier, and various customers. As a result, Landis has been sentenced to seven years behind bars.
“The results of today’s sweeping law enforcement operations show that the DEA, in close collaboration with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, continue our collective commitment to safeguard our communities from the dangers of fentanyl poisoning by individuals who attempt to sell fake pills, often times doing so while armed,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “This successful joint law enforcement operation has ensured these dangerous drugs, weapons, and dealers have been taken off our streets, ultimately making the communities we all live in safer places for everyone.”
This case forms part of a comprehensive effort by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) to combat drug trafficking and other criminal activities. OCDETF is dedicated to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling major drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that pose a threat to the United States. This approach involves collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, with prosecutors leading the charge and intelligence guiding their actions.
The investigation in question was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration's Bellingham Resident Office (DEA), in close partnership with various agencies such as the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, the CBP Air & Marine Operations, the Lummi Police Department, the Everson Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Together, these agencies worked tirelessly to disrupt criminal networks and safeguard the well-being of the community.
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