YAKIMA, WA – Thirteen individuals are facing federal charges following a year-long investigation targeting violent and armed drug traffickers operating within the Yakama Nation and the greater Yakima Valley region.
The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Indian Affairs, began in 2024 and concluded in June 2025. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, the effort involved federal, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies and aimed to disrupt drug trafficking activity both on and off tribal lands.
As a result of the operation, agents seized:
- 7,100 pounds of marijuana
- 336 pounds of methamphetamine
- Nearly 25 pounds of cocaine
- 7 pounds of fentanyl powder
- 4,704 fentanyl-laced pills
- 12 firearms
- $22,512 in suspected drug proceeds
“Fentanyl continues to be one of the most dangerous substances threatening our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, offenders have been removed from our communities and families are safer today.”
Several defendants were charged with methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution, while others face firearms and immigration-related offenses. Among those indicted:
-
Angel Navarro Aleman
, 55 – Three counts of methamphetamine distribution -
Jose Francisco Aguirre
, 56 – Pleaded guilty to meth distribution; sentencing scheduled for July -
Jose Caudillo-Ascencio
, 23 – Cocaine distribution and firearms charges -
Jesus Caudillo
, 31 – Felon in possession of a firearm -
Johnny Thomas Axtell
, 54 – Methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution -
Israel Nicolas Castaneda
, 37 – Fentanyl distribution -
Samantha Rasberry-Besa
, 31 – Fentanyl distribution and firearms charges -
Lonzell Hawk Lucei
, 37 – Felon in possession of a firearm -
Hollis Marion Woodward
, 70 – Pleaded guilty to firearm possession; sentencing set for September -
Miguel Angel Alvarado-Munoz
, 45 – Reentered the U.S. after deportation -
Ira Charles Pete
, 39 – Felon in possession of a firearm -
Edgar Jovnni Nunez Bocanegra
, 29 – Methamphetamine and firearms charges -
Fernando Gonzalez
, 38 – Fentanyl distribution and firearms charges
The case was supported by multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, ATF, Yakima Police Department, Wapato Police Department, Yakama Nation Tribal Police, and the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities noted that additional charges may be filed against other individuals identified during the investigation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
