Kota is a very good dog

This is Kota, who is a very good dog.

Kota works with King County and this week helped intercept the 46,000 fentanyl pills in this picture.

King county executive Dow Constantine says 

Thanks to everyone in the Sheriff's Office for their hard work in helping keep this poison off the street.

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Fatal crash on I-5 near NE 145th St Monday

Looking south from NE 145th overpass. Photo by Chris Read

A fatal collision on I-5 near NE 145th around 11am on Monday, July 4, 2022 left one dead, two transported to hospitals and the causing driver charged with DUI, felony hit and run, and vehicular assault.

A Ford pickup driven by 41 year old Daniel Delgado of Shelton, and a Kia driven by 71 year old Christine Farrar of Federal Way, with passenger John T. Farrar of Eatonville, were traveling on northbound I-5 approaching NE 145th St.

Delgado's vehicle was in the HOV lane and Ferrer's vehicle was in lane 2.

Delgado made a sudden swerve to the right, striking Ferrer's vehicle on the driver's side.

The victim's vehicle rolled after hitting the Jersey barrier.
Photo by Chris Read

Both vehicles veered to the left side, striking the Jersey barrier. Ferrer's vehicle rolled over, coming to rest upside down on the right shoulder. The pickup came to rest on the HOV lane.

Delgado was arrested and taken to Northwest Hospital for medical attention. Both Christine Farrar and John T. Farrar were taken to Harborview where John died.

Washington State Patrol has jurisdiction

Causing vehicle remained in HOV lane.
Photo by Chris Read

All northbound lanes of I-5 approaching NE 145th were completely blocked for hours. Unsuspecting drivers caught in the back up were doing whatever they could to get off the freeway, including driving backwards on the shoulder or making U-turns to drive the wrong way down the on-ramp.

State patrol troopers were directing a slow moving four lane merge of vehicles to the one lane off ramp. In the top photo, a Sound Transit bus is apparently trying to turn around to get off the freeway.

Next of kin of the deceased were notified by Harborview. The Washington state patrol released names and similar photos.

--Diane Hettrick

Updated 7-5-2022

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Snohomish County deputies stop dangerous driver on I-5 just north of Shoreline

Photo courtesy Snohomish County Sheriff's Office

On the afternoon of May 27, 2022 Snohomish county Directed Patrol (DP) deputies observed a gray Mercedes driving over 80 mph while following too close and weaving through traffic. 

The Mercedes continued southbound at a high rate of speed. As the Mercedes approached 220th St SW on I-5, DP was able to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle.

 
During the contact, the two adult occupants admitted that there were several guns in the car and advised that there were a few hundred M30’s in a bag that was in the rear passenger compartment. During the investigation, DP recovered around 900 M30’s (Fentanyl pills) and three guns, one of which was a ghost AR-15 with a large drum style magazine.

 
The driver of the vehicle, a 23-year-old Everett man, confessed to the M30’s and the firearms being in his possession and was subsequently booked into Snohomish County Jail.

 

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AG: Opioid manufacturer Mallinckrodt will pay Washington more than $18 million

Attorney General Bob Ferguson

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that bankrupt opioid manufacturer Mallinckrodt will pay Washington more than $18 million for its role fueling the opioid epidemic.

Mallinckrodt is one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in the U.S., and manufactured a generic version of oxycodone. 

Today’s announcement represents the latest recovery in Ferguson’s opioid litigation initiative, which has now delivered more than $730 million in resources to address Washington’s opioid epidemic.

Facing investigations and lawsuits from multiple state attorneys general, including Ferguson, Mallinckrodt filed for bankruptcy in October 2020.

Washington’s share of the recovery could exceed $27 million if Mallinckrodt chooses to spread out payments over a longer period of time instead of paying an initial lump sum. Mallinckrodt has 18 months to decide how it will make payments to the state for its role in the opioid epidemic.

Similar to Ferguson’s other recent opioid cases, these resources must be used on a set of approved strategies to address the opioid crisis that continues to devastate Washington families. Approved strategies include prevention efforts, expanded treatment options, support for neonatal babies and their families and services for individuals in treatment and recovery.

Additionally, Mallinckrodt will pay Washington $514,702 for underpayment of Medicaid rebates for a drug it produced called “Acthar” as part of the bankruptcy.

“These resources will increase prevention efforts and help Washingtonians in need,” Ferguson said. “The corporations responsible for the opioid epidemic must help us address the crisis they created. We will continue to fight to deliver as many resources into our communities as possible.”

Read more here

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County Council approves creation of Cannabis Safety Taskforce

Legislation to create a Cannabis Safety Taskforce, sponsored by Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Jeanne Kohl-Welles, on Tuesday passed out of the King County Council.

The legislation comes in the wake of a spate of armed robberies at cannabis shops in both King County and Pierce County, including two recent attempted robberies in Covington and Factoria that both resulted in the fatal shooting of the perpetrator. 

In Shoreline a store employee was shot during the course of a robbery, and robbers waved guns at employees during a store robbery in Lake Forest Park.

According to the Washington Cannabusiness Association, roughly 70 robberies have been recorded at cannabis retailers across the state of Washington since the beginning of 2022. 

This uptick has been widely attributed to the publicity of cases and the fact that federal banking regulations have resulted in cannabis shops operating as all-cash businesses, making them a lucrative target.

“During and since my time in the state Legislature, I have been a staunch supporter of the legalization and regulation of the medicinal and recreational use of cannabis. 

"However, the federal banking regulations that force businesses to operate as all-cash businesses have ended up endangering employees, customers and communities,” Kohl-Welles said. 

“As such, this motion serves to explore how local jurisdictions can better support these businesses, while efforts to reform banking laws at the federal level remain underway.”

The Cannabis Safety Taskforce will bring together the King County Sheriff’s Office, the King County Prosecutor’s Office, members of the cannabis industry, and local community members, tasking them with coordinating their efforts with jurisdictions across the region. 

The goal of this group is to identify resources necessary to aid law enforcement in the prevention of criminal activity targeting marijuana retailers; deepen interjurisdictional cooperation and data sharing; and coordinate emphasis patrols by law enforcement. 

The motion also requests an analysis of how the roughly $4.6 million in marijuana tax revenue that was cut from the Sheriff’s Office funding in the 2021-22 biennial budget is being used. This report is due to the Council by August 31, 2022, before consideration of the 2023-24 biennial budget.

“King County is leading the way in our state by adopting a coordinated response among law enforcement, prosecutors, regulated cannabis businesses and the broader community for responding to the current public safety crisis,” said Vicki Christophersen, WACA executive director. 

“Regulated cannabis businesses stand ready to participate as partners in protecting the safety of workers and the communities in which regulated cannabis businesses operate.”

Currently, the King County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to work with the community to address security concerns and increase its presence, including through both uniformed and plain clothes officers. This has included multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional conversations, including the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, to collaborate on finding ways to prevent further robberies.

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AG Ferguson: Opioid distributors to pay $518 million to Washington state

McKesson promo

SEATTLE — Six months after taking the three largest distributors of prescription opioids to trial, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced a resolution-in-principle that will deliver approximately a half-billion dollars to Washington to combat the opioid epidemic.

The Washington Attorney General’s trial against McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. began in King County Superior Court on November 15 — more than two years after Ferguson filed a lawsuit against the three large corporations for helping to fuel the opioid epidemic.

As a result of today’s announced resolution, these three opioid distributors will pay a total of $518 million. More than $476 million will be directed toward addressing the opioid epidemic.

Ferguson rejected a national settlement between the three opioid distributors in order to take these entities to trial. Ferguson’s decision will result in Washington receiving $46 million in additional resources from the distributors to provide substance abuse treatment and support other strategies to address the opioid crisis, including housing and other wrap-around services.

“We could have joined the overwhelming majority of states and settled with the the largest opioid distributors, but we chose to fight them in court instead,” Ferguson said. 

“That decision to take them to court will result in significant additional resources for Washington to combat the opioid epidemic. These resources will increase prevention efforts and help Washingtonians in need, including providing necessary wrap-around services for those experiencing homelessness as a result of their substance abuse disorder. 

"This is a historic resolution — one of the largest in state history. We forced these companies to stand trial for their conduct. Washingtonians will receive approximately one half billion dollars to combat the opioid epidemic — including $46 million more than Washington would have received if we had accepted the national settlement last year.”

This is part of a wider effort by Ferguson to combat the opioid epidemic and recover resources to address the ongoing crisis.

More information here

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Lake City man sentenced to 45 years in prison, 3 years after a drunken rampage left two dead and two injured

Photo courtesy Seattle Police Dept.

According to reporting in The Seattle Times,

A 36-year-old Seattle man was sentenced to 45 years in prison Friday for a March 2019 drunken shooting rampage in Lake City that killed two people and injured two others, including a King County Metro bus driver, who was shot in the chest.

Tad-Michael Norman, 36, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, vehicular homicide and three counts of first-degree assault March 23, four days shy of the third anniversary of the March 27, 2019, random shooting that began in the middle of a busy intersection, court records show.

Our previous article on the event is here: Tragedy in Lake City

Norman's blood alcohol level was three times

The Seattle Times article is here

Court records say Norman, who had no previous criminal history, struggled with alcoholism and relapsed on the day of the shootings after being sober for 90 days. 

He told police he had no memory of the rampage and before he was booked into jail, he was treated at Harborview Medical Center, where his blood alcohol content was measured at .287, more than three times the legal limit of .08 for adult drivers

 

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AG Ferguson: JUUL must pay Washington $22.5 million over its unlawful advertising practices

JUUL vaping device

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced that JUUL must pay $22.5 million to resolve Ferguson’s lawsuit against the e-cigarette company. 

The lawsuit asserts that JUUL violated the law when it designed and marketed its products to appeal to underage consumers and deceived consumers about the addictiveness of its product.

In addition to the payment, JUUL must stop its unlawful conduct and implement a slate of reforms, including:

• Stopping all its advertising that appeals to youth
• Stopping most social media promotion
• Accurately marketing the content and effects of the nicotine in its products
• Strict practices to confirm the age of consumers who purchase JUUL products — including a robust secret shopper program and online purchase age verification. JUUL is required to conduct no fewer than 25 secret shopper checks per month at Washington-based JUUL retailers for at least two years, and perform at least one check in every Washington county per year. The company is required to send a regular report to the Attorney General’s Office detailing the results of the secret shopper program every 90 days.

This is the strictest secret shopper program in the company’s history. The Attorney General’s Office believes this is likely amongst the strictest secret shopper programs implemented by vapor products sellers anywhere in the country.

These reforms are legally enforceable. If JUUL violates these terms, the Washington Attorney General’s Office can go directly to King County Superior Court to enforce them.

More information here

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AG Ferguson: Washington will receive an additional $113 million from oxycontin makers to address the opioid crisis

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that Washington will receive an additional $113 million from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family as a result of Ferguson leading a challenge to the Oxycontin maker’s bankruptcy plan.

By challenging the original bankruptcy plan, Ferguson and eight other attorneys general won an additional $1.175 billion from the Sacklers to help states, cities and tribes address the harms of the opioid epidemic. 

Washington’s share will more than double as a result of Ferguson challenging the bankruptcy plan —from $70 million under the original plan to $183 million. 

This money must be used to tackle the opioid crisis and help Washington’s recovery, a requirement that Ferguson has always insisted upon.

Ferguson co-led a group of nine attorneys general who challenged the bankruptcy proposal in federal court. Washington was one of three states to deliver oral arguments in U.S. District Court in New York City in November. 

Washington State Solicitor General Noah Purcell represented Washington at that hearing, and delivered oral arguments on a key issue. In December, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen McMahon agreed with Ferguson and rejected the bankruptcy proposal.

“Rather than join the majority of states in settlement, Washington chose to lead the fight against the Sacklers and Purdue,” Ferguson said. 

“As a result, we won more than $100 million for Washington state to address the opioid epidemic, and more than $1 billion for states, cities and tribes across the country. We stood up to the Sacklers and forced them to relinquish more of their fortune to help undo the damage they caused.”

The proposed resolution must still be approved by the bankruptcy court. In addition, Purdue and the Sacklers have appealed the District Court’s ruling vacating the original bankruptcy plan. As part of the new proposal, Washington and the eight other attorneys general will drop their opposition to the appeal pending approval of this settlement. The federal government and other parties involved in the appeal may or may not choose to continue the case.

If the appeal goes forward, the proposed settlement is contingent on the bankruptcy plan being approved. If the bankruptcy plan is not upheld, the proposed deal is void, and Ferguson will continue fighting in court to hold the Sacklers and Purdue accountability for illegally fueling the opioid epidemic. Washington was preparing for trial against Purdue Pharma when it declared bankruptcy.

As a result of this settlement, Washington will now receive a total of $183 million from Purdue and Sacklers to address the harms of the crisis — a significant increase from the original settlement that Ferguson rejected

The terms of the original plan, which Ferguson rejected as insufficient, guaranteed Washington approximately $70 million. As a result of Ferguson’s legal challenge, Washington will now receive another $113 million, for a total of $183 million, and, potentially, an additional $11 million, for a total of $194 million.

The nine attorneys general who successfully challenged the bankruptcy plan will receive additional money above the other states that did not challenge the plan. As a result of Washington’s leadership role in the legal challenge, Washington will receive $93.1 million.

All states, counties, cities and tribes with claims against Purdue — thousands of entities — will split $898 million. Washington will receive $20 million of this money.

The deal also provides the possibility of an additional $500 million all governmental parties would share if proceeds from the sale of the family’s international companies meet certain thresholds. If that money becomes available, Washington stands to gain about $11 million more.Under the terms of the settlement, the Sacklers and Purdue will make the final payment in 2039.

Read the case background here.

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Salomon bill would provide permanent solution to Blake drug ruling

Sen. Jesse Salomon D-Shoreline

Legislation introduced by Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline) would establish a civil, non-criminal process for intervening and providing treatment for people found to possess illegal drugs while creating a higher level of accountability for behaviors like using drugs in public.

Senate Bill 5976 would address the legal crisis created in 2021 when the state Supreme Court totally invalidated the law prohibiting illegal drug possession in State v. Blake. 

A temporary legislative fix in response to the ruling (SB 5476) reduced the penalty for possession to a simple misdemeanor and required two free passes against court involvement as long as that person is given information on how to get treatment. 

This law expires in 2023. Salomon’s bill would put in place a permanent process that specifically requires treatment when medically indicated and mandates court oversight to ensure the process is completed.

“Drug use in public is rampant, and police have told me they do not have the ability to stop this,” Salomon said. 

“We need a law that gives them a tool to stop public drug use without relying on the criminal law as the only tool in our toolbox. We need new ideas for accountability that address the treatment needs of substance-addicted people while ensuring accountability for behavior that endangers people.”

Under Salomon’s legislation, someone caught with illegal drugs would undergo a substance use disorder evaluation and, if warranted, complete a treatment plan. A court would monitor compliance and could impose penalties up to and including short stays in jail for non-compliance. 

The jail time would be for civil contempt of court and would not appear as a criminal conviction on the subject’s record, ensuring a non-criminal process that provides more accountability than the misdemeanor criminal charge available now.

“This bill won’t pass this year, but we need to start the discussion now if we want to have a viable system in place when the Legislature’s temporary response to the Supreme Court decision sunsets,” Salomon said. 

“There is no path forward at this point to just re-write the old statute to just straight re-criminalize drug possession.

In his 15 years practicing criminal law, Salomon said he repeatedly saw how misdemeanors merely placed a conviction on someone’s record but did not result in completed treatment.

“The only thing that does is make it hard for someone to get a job if they do try to change their lives for the better,” Salomon said. 

“This bill starts a discussion that will be neither simple nor easy and will take considerable effort and time to get right. That’s why we need to start now.”

After a person goes through this process twice, prosecutors would have the option of filing criminal charges for third and subsequent violations if they deem that someone violating drug laws would be unlikely to succeed in a third course of court-ordered treatment. 

Violators would be liable for the cost of assessment and treatment unless found indigent and without third-party insurance, in which case the state would pay the cost.

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Rep. Lauren Davis: TVW interview on addressing substance use disorder and reducing overdose deaths

Rep. Lauren Davis D-32, top right, on TVW
TVW: Inside Olympia interview: click here to view 

I had the great privilege to join TVW’s Inside Olympia this week for a discussion about our efforts to address the ongoing opioid epidemic and reduce overdose deaths. This is the work that brought me to Olympia, and I’m proud to have many partners on both sides of the aisle.

As I mentioned in the interview, we need to support all three legs of stool for the substance use disorder continuum of care: 

1. Outreach before treatment, 
2. treatment, and 
3. recovery support services.

Take a look and see how new supports are rolling out, plus our work this year.

--Rep. Lauren Davis (D-32)

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The Science of Police Work

On Tuesday evening, November 2, 2021 King County Sheriff's Office deputies in Shoreline responded to the 16000 block of Aurora Ave N to assist firefighters in their efforts to contain a car fire devouring this VW Jetta.

After the flames were extinguished, a detective with the Sheriff's Office Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) responded to determine the origin and cause. 

Investigators learned the sedan had been abandoned for several months. Witnesses said a man was seen in the Volkswagon earlier in the day. A drug pipe and other debris was found inside the car. Detectives believe the flames originated near the driver's seat.

Around 400 times each year, KCSO fire investigators respond to incidents like this throughout King County. 

Like any detectives, they are searching for evidence that will help them determine both the cause and origin of a fire. 

Fires are classified as either accident, undetermined or arson. When a crime is discovered, it is FIU detectives who prepare the cases that lead to successful felony prosecutions.

Fire investigation, we believe, is the unique intersection of science and police work.

--King County Sheriff's Office

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Washington state’s historic trial against three largest opioid distributors begins Monday in Seattle

SEATTLE — The trial of Washington state’s lawsuit against McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp., the three largest distributors of prescription opioids in Washington state, will begin today in King County Superior Court in Seattle.

The trial will be held in person beginning at 9am, but the court also plans to livestream the proceedings on YouTube. The livestream is available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn3BAfPxBL1uvNfxKituHxg.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson will deliver the initial remarks to the court this morning. Washington is poised to be the first state to take these three opioid distributors to judgment.

Attorney General Ferguson filed the lawsuit in March of 2019, accusing the three Fortune 15 companies of failing to alert law enforcement when they received suspicious opioid orders, and shipping those orders with little or no investigation, significantly contributing to the supply of opioids and fueling the state’s opioid epidemic. 

The companies made billions of dollars while feeding the devastating epidemic, shipping huge amounts of oxycodone, hydrocodone and other prescription opioids into Washington even when they knew or should have known those drugs were likely to be diverted.

Each of these distributors brings in more gross revenue than the annual budget of the entire State of Washington.

Opioid distributors are required to monitor the size and frequency of prescription opioid orders to identify suspicious orders that could be diverted into the illegal drug market. Distributors are required to stop these suspicious shipments and report them to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

The opioid crisis devastated Washington communities and shattered families. The epidemic has hit every state — and it hit Washington especially hard. Since 2006, more than 10,800 Washingtonians have died of opioid overdoses.

Ferguson seeks penalties, disgorging of proceeds from illegal conduct

Ferguson accuses McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen of violating the state Consumer Protection Act for filling hundreds of thousands of suspicious orders in Washington state without adequately identifying, investigating or reporting them. Their actions, Ferguson asserts, helped fuel the opioid epidemic in Washington state.

Ferguson’s lawsuit seeks civil penalties from the companies for each violation of the Consumer Protection Act. He will also ask the court to order the distributors to disgorge the proceeds of their illegal conduct. Sales of opioids are worth billions every year nationwide. Ferguson will present a 15-year plan to abate the opioid crisis in our state, and ask the court to order the distributors to pay for its implementation.

Trial logistics

The trial begins at 9am Monday in King County Superior Court with opening statements. Ferguson’s opening will help set the stage for the case Washington will present at trial.

The trial is expected to last about three months, with each side expected to take about six weeks to present their case. The trial will take place Mondays through Thursdays except during holiday weeks — for example, during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, the court will not hold trial.

While the courtroom is open to the public, space is limited due to COVID restrictions. The court also plans to livestream the proceedings on YouTube, though recording and rebroadcast of the livestream is prohibited. The livestream is available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn3BAfPxBL1uvNfxKituHxg

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Shoreline Police: Ring. Hello? I can't talk right now, I'm in the middle of a DUI investigation

On Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 12:32am, a 911 caller reported a possible DUI driver in the vicinity of N 185th St and Corliss Ave N in Shoreline. 

The vehicle was seen crossing the center line several times and, at one point, almost hit our caller. The car was described as a silver 2008 Volkswagen Jetta.

Dispatchers issued an informational broadcast (also known as an APB) to local deputies in Shoreline in an effort to locate the vehicle. 

Hearing the broadcast, a nearby deputy conducted an area check. He located the Jetta on NE 175th Street and initiated a traffic stop.

The deputy approached the car. He noticed two cans of Bud Light seltzers, one on the passenger seat and the other on floorboard. The driver smelled of alcohol and had droopy, watery eyes. 

It also appeared that the driver was confused and had trouble processing the deputy's instructions. 

The driver was asked to step out of the car. He stumbled while attempting to stand and almost fell back inside his car.

The driver agreed to submit to a voluntary Field Sobriety Test (FST). In the middle of the process, the driver received a phone call. 

The driver held his phone up and looked at who was calling but didn't answer the call. The deputy instructed him to put his phone away, which he did.

A few more minutes into the FST, the driver received yet another phone call. 

This time he answered it and told the caller that he was in the middle of a DUI investigation. 

The deputy asked the driver if he wanted to continue with the tests. He said he did but he would not hang up the phone. 

The male eventually ended the call and suddenly decided he would not resume the field sobriety tests. He was arrested and placed in handcuffs.

The driver was brought to the precinct for DUI processing. 

A warrant was obtained for his blood and it was drawn by the nearby Fire Department. 

Charges are pending, awaiting blood results from the Washington State Patrol Toxicology lab.

As a reminder, we do not show suspects' faces until they have been formally charged.

--King County Sheriff's Office

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Lynnwood, Washington man sentenced to 10 years in prison for gun and drug trafficking

A 39-year-old Lynnwood, Washington, man was sentenced Thursday, September 9, 2021 in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 10 years in prison for federal charges stemming from his drug and gun trafficking, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.

Jose L. Casablanca and co-defendant, Jessie N. Cruz, were arrested in late July 2020, following a lengthy undercover investigation. In May 2021, Casablanca pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik said, “This is your last chance… When you come out in your 40s you will have missed many events with your daughters.” Judge Lasnik urged Casablanca to choose a new path.

“This defendant sold heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, three of the most deadly and addictive controlled substances available, that have ravaged communities and families in Western Washington,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Add to that his firearms trafficking – including possessing a machine gun – and this defendant has demonstrated he is a danger to the community.”

Records filed in the case detail how two detectives with the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force (SRDTF) posed as drug and gun buyers to gather information about the pair’s drug trafficking activity.  

The undercover detectives made purchases of heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl pills from Casablanca and Cruz. They also purchased a fully automatic firearm, classified as an illegal machine gun, and other firearms from the pair. 

Casablanca is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, so the two discussed with undercover officers how Cruz transported the guns to the sale location so that Casablanca would not be caught with a firearm.

Casablanca and Cruz confided to the undercover detectives where they had hidden a massive amount of fentanyl in their Lynnwood home. On the day they were arrested at a regional airport, they met with yet another undercover officer who was posing as someone who could get them access to a pill press to make fentanyl tainted pills from their large stash of the potentially deadly drug. 

A court-authorized search warrant at the Lynnwood home resulted in the seizure of large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, multiple firearms, and ammunition, as well as body armor.

At the time of their arrest, law enforcement searched the Maserati the couple used in their drug trafficking activities and found both narcotics and a firearm.

Co-defendant Cruz was sentenced in April 2021 to seven years in prison. Both will be on three years of supervised release following prison.

The case was investigated by the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force and the United States Marshals Service Violent Offender Task Force, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kate Crisham.

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September is National Recovery Month and Shoreline has local resources

“Recovery is for Everyone:
Every Person, Every Family, Every Community”

By Donna Hawkey

The cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park have proclaimed September as National Recovery Month. "Recovery is for Everyone" is this year’s national theme and celebrates those who have successfully recovered from addiction and have reestablished a healthy lifestyle.

Ty Reed, Recovery Career Services

Recovery Success Story

Ty Reed is the founder of Recovery Career Services, located in Shoreline, where he helps those in recovery establish their "right balance" back into productive and professional work life. 

His young non-profit fulfills an essential need inspired by his personal experiences that exemplify an astonishing comeback. 

Though he had excellent past work experience and an MBA, his past addiction, mental health challenges, and criminal convictions made getting back into the professional workforce challenging. 

 He knows this is different for everyone, and acknowledges that there are many paths to recovery

"When someone is on the journey to recovery, they need support services while transitioning back to work. That has been sadly missing in our society. I've experienced not only my journey but have seen those same needs in others. 

'I'm convinced you will have some of your best employees from those in recovery. Their gratitude for being given a second chance will be a mighty contribution to your business," said Mr. Reed.

He is available to individuals and organizations, providing coaching, workshops, education, and support services. To learn more, go to: https://www.recoveryandwork.org

Addiction and Mental Health Trends

About 10% of the adult population over 18 is considered in active recovery, as reported by American Addiction Centers. Drugs, including alcohol, gambling, video-game, and sex can all become addictive. 

The Seattle Times reports that in King County, during the first half of 2020, addiction rates rose 20% for the overall population. Unfortunately, the pandemic presents another challenging year as addiction increases, but services cannot keep up with the demand.

It’s estimated that at least 17 million US residents who need recovery treatment do not receive it every year. A new Harris poll published by NAMI reports that one barrier to treatment is that stigmas associated with a depressive disorder increased from 72% in 2009 to 84% today. In addition, 48% of those polled are unsure if they are eligible to receive care and are equally unsure about how to access services.

Barbie Collins Young,
Executive Director, NAMI Eastside.

According to NAMI, (National Alliance for Mental Illness) "Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the US experiences a mental health condition."

"During the pandemic, addiction and mental health illness have risen including parents who have become overwhelmed. Parents now have to make agonizing decisions about how to keep their children safe from COVID. 

"In addition, social isolation, worries over a job, housing, or educational losses, and the confusion over vaccines and masking are all believed to be factors creating new and exasperated anxiety," said Barbie Collins Young, Executive Director, NAMI Eastside.

"If you think you will need any services - get ahead of the crisis - including seeking preventative measures. Right now is the time to search for help!" continued Ms. Young.

Local Resources

National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI sponsors many public education and support programs and for those affected family members and friends, too. They can also help with locating provider resources in the area. https://nami-eastside.org/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. 

This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information. Also visit their online treatment locators.

King County Virtual Resource Center (VRC) at City of Shoreline

Virtual via Zoom until meeting in person is considered safe. Previously held at Shoreline City Hall.

The VRC is a one-stop public/community resource every Tuesday in Shoreline between 1:30-3:00pm. You don't have to be a Shoreline resident for access. The VRC has various Zoom breakout rooms for private discussions with service providers in many areas such as substance abuse, behavioral health, domestic violence, retraining/education, civil legal assistance, and veterans’ services. 

You can meet providers from Public Health, DCHS (Department of Community and Health Services), Hopelink, Center for Human Services, Shoreline Community College, the King County Library, and more.

There is a VRC Shoreline, but there are two other virtual resource centers - one at Redmond and one at Burien – and they too are available for anyone in need regardless of where they reside. The three VRCs operate every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and a list of which organizations will be attending, along with the various VRC scheduled days and times are all available via the link below.

The Shoreline and Redmond Libraries have recently opened a meeting room to access a computer kiosk during the VRC hours for those without technology access.

One recent VRC participant said, “This has been great. What I accomplished in the VRC today would have taken me several hours or more on my own!”

Visit the VRC here:

Virtual Resource Center's website for information on the schedule and how to connect.

More information at the City of Shoreline’s website. https://www.shorelinewa.gov/government/departments/police-department/community-court-and-community-resource-center

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FDA approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine - now called Comirnaty

On Monday, August 24, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. 

The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. 

The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.

And where did the name come from?

“Comirnaty…represents a combination of the terms COVID-19, mRNA, community, and immunity, to highlight the first authorization of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, as well as the joint global efforts that made this achievement possible,” said Pfizer when they announced the European Union authorization last year.

More information here

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AG Ferguson issues statement after key court victories in opioid distributors case

State Attorney General
Bob Ferguson

Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued the following statement after two key legal victories on Friday in Washington’s case against opioid distributors McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp.

“We won two more key victories in our case against the three largest opioid distributors for their role fueling the opioid epidemic by shipping hundreds of thousands of suspicious orders into Washington state.

“On Friday, a King County judge rejected their attempt to dismiss our Consumer Protection Act claim, and ruled that there is no time period that limits the consumer protection penalties we seek in this case. We assert that these companies violated our Consumer Protection Act in multiple ways over more than a dozen years — and now they are facing potential penalties for every single one.

“Moreover, the judge rejected their efforts to deflect responsibility for their conduct onto others. These Fortune 15 companies tried to evade responsibility for their misconduct by claiming that Washington state did not pass laws preventing them from shipping massive amounts of opioids into our state. Claiming that public agencies should have stopped them sooner is like a burglar blaming the police for not arresting him before he committed the crime — it’s absurd and appalling. Judge Michael R. Scott dismissed all the defenses these corporations planned to present at trial blaming the state for the opioid crisis.

“My outstanding trial team argued both motions and won. Our trial is scheduled for September. We will hold these companies accountable for the devastation they caused.”

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As opioid overdoses climb, state programs prevent drugs from falling into the wrong hands

By Annie Blake-Burke

The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the opioid epidemic in Washington, causing a "Syndemic," says Jessica Blose, the state opioid treatment authority and manager of behavioral health clinical support at the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA).

While communities and businesses are opening up, the pandemic has left vulnerable populations more vulnerable, disrupted treatment and support systems, and left Washington residents isolated. Those factors contribute to higher risk for substance misuse and overdoses, Blose says.

Earlier this year, the Department of Health released data showing that there had been 835 overdose deaths in the first six months of 2020, up from the 607 deaths reported in the first half of 2019. Additionally, deaths from Fentanyl (often found in counterfeit pills made to look like prescription opioids) more than doubled in that time frame.

Prevention programs

These two prevention programs in Washington aim to prevent opioid addiction and overdose.

1) The MED-Project, at pharmacies statewide, makes it easy for patients to dispose of their leftover prescription drugs at a kiosk or drop box. 

Residents can enter their ZIP code at MED-Project.org to find a location near them or order a free medication mail back envelope. MED-Project is a program managed by the Washington State Department of Health and is supported by the Health Care Authority.

2) The HCA also plans to expand an innovative safe storage program this October, to give free locking bags to patients who receive opioid prescriptions. Patients will be asked to store their medication in the locking bags and make a pledge to do so. 

The program, in partnership with dozens of pharmacies across the state, has been piloted with much success, and is part of the HCA’s opioid misuse prevention campaign, Starts with One.

Stopping misuse before it starts

These preventive programs both address the opioid epidemic “upstream,” Blose says — keeping medication out of the hands of people who weren’t prescribed them.

Removing unused medications from homes or locking them up can significantly reduce the risk of misuse and overdose. About 75% of opioid misuse begins when someone takes a medication that wasn't prescribed to them, usually from a friend or family member.

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AG Ferguson rejects insufficient opioid distributors settlement, heads toward trial

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday that he formally rejected a proposed settlement with opioid distributors McKesson, Cardinal Health and Amerisource Bergen, and Johnson and Johnson.

The Attorney General’s Office has been litigating against these companies for years. Trial against McKesson, Cardinal Health and Amerisource Bergen begins in King County Superior Court on September 7, 2021.

Ferguson’s trial against Johnson and Johnson is scheduled to begin in King County Superior Court in January 2022.

Click here to read the full news release...

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