DEA recovers over 4,000 grams of fentanyl in Renton

Eight people, allegedly part of a family drug trafficking organization that sent thousands of dollars to Ecuador and Mexico, were charged after raids at various Renton homes uncovered thousands of grams of fentanyl and other drugs.

The U.S. Department of Justice charged eight people connected to the Gutama-Escandon family drug trafficking organization following the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executing a series of raids on Oct. 16.

According to court documents, on Oct. 16, a total of five homes in Renton were searched by the DEA, leading to the recovery of 149.7 grams of suspected cocaine, 388.2 grams of suspected heroin, 449.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and a mix of 4,481.9 grams of suspected fentanyl and fentanyl pills.

The suspects

• Carlos Gutama-Escandon: conspiring to distribute A-level amounts of various controlled substances, distribution of B-level amounts of fentanyl and heroin, possession with the intent to distribute B and C-level amounts of substances, and conspiring to commit money laundering.

• Oliver Gutama-Escandon: conspiring to distribute A-level amounts of controlled substances and possession with the intent to distribute B and C-level amounts of substances.

• Jessica Gutama-Escandon: conspiring to distribute A-level quantities of methamphetamine and conspiring to commit money laundering.

• Josselin Gutama-Escandon: possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute at the C-level.

• Henry Gutama-Escandon: possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and conspiring to commit money laundering.

• Stalyn Quezada-Gutama: conspiring to distribute controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute at the B-level.

• Andres Giraldo-Arias: possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute at a C-level.

• Artur Shahnazaryan: possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.

The investigation of this family-based drug trafficking organization began in December 2024, when Henry Gutama-Escandon was stopped in Marysville and officers searched his vehicle, uncovering approximately four ounces of fentanyl powder, 337 grams of fentanyl pills and $4,000 in cash. According to documents, following that stop, in February, undercover officers contacted Carlos Gutama-Escandon and arranged to purchase two ounces of fentanyl powder and four ounces of heroin from him.

According to documents, Carlos Gutama-Escandon arrived at the pickup location with his brother, Henry Gutama-Escandon, and they delivered the drugs to the undercover officers. Officers then determined that other family members of the Gutama-Escandon family were connected to drug trafficking, including Oliver, Jessica and Josselin Gutama-Escandon.

Following the discovery of the siblings, officers referred to the family-based drug trafficking organization as the “Escandon DTO,” documents state. Following the deal executed by undercover officers, officers got permission to receive the location data of phones used by members of the Escandon DTO, and to place trackers on their vehicles.

According to documents, on July 14, 2025, investigators intercepted communications between Carlos Gutama-Escandon and Shahnazaryan. Documents state that Shahnazaryan bought two ounces of fentanyl powder from Carlos Gutama-Escandon.

Later that day, on July 14, officers intercepted communications between Carlos Gutama-Escandon and Henry Gutama-Escandon, and subsequently performed a traffic stop on their vehicle. Documents state that officers located a fake gun, 343 grams of fentanyl powder, 31 grams of cocaine, 83 grams of heroin and about $11,846.

On July 15, officers intercepted communication between Henry Gutama-Escandon and Jessica Gutama-Escandon, in which Henry Gutama-Escandon told her that he was going to deliver $70,000 to her and deliver some things to a trailer home they used as a stash house. Documents state that officers searched the motor home that the Escandon DTO used as a stash location and recovered 137 grams of cocaine, 200 grams of heroin and 1,454 grams of fentanyl powder.

Documents state that on July 25, Carlos Gutama-Escandon and Stalyn Quezada-Gutama were stopped by officers and 136 grams of fentanyl powder were recovered.

Through officers’ interceptions of the Escandon DTO, Jessica Gutama-Escandon sent about 130 international wires of about $2,000 or less to Ecuador and Mexico. Documents state that the Gutama-Escandon family members have minimal legitimate income, with Carlos Gutama-Escandon having the most, with only $15,000 of reported income throughout about a year.

Documents state that on Oct. 1, a grand jury returned indictments, search warrants were executed on Oct. 16 and suspects were subsequently arrested. According to documents, Josselin Gutama-Escandon was involved in drug trafficking through drugs being found in her room during the searches on Oct. 16, but it was also clear through intercepted communication with the Escandon DTO that she was involved.

Documents state that when search warrants were executed, Giraldo-Arias was found to be involved because inside a desk containing his passport and other identifying documents, drugs were found. However, documents state that prior intercepted communications with the Escandon DTO made it clear that he was involved.

According to the Renton Police Department, in the early morning of Oct. 16, Renton police assisted the DEA to serve one of the federal narcotics warrants, which helped break up a narcotics trafficking ring. The DEA and other investigating agencies arrested seven suspects in eight separate search warrants.

“The DEA requested a marked Renton police car for the warrant in the 19900 block of 101st Ave SE., early Thursday. The officer was a visible police presence and assisted with announcing that agents were serving the federal narcotics warrant,” the RPD stated. “Once agents secured the scene, the officer returned to regular duty.”

This is the same DEA operation that used the parking lot Oct. 16 of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship church in Kent as a staging area.