A man from Everett, Washington, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Lamin Saho, also known as “Buck,” was identified as a key distributor in a drug trafficking organization that operated between Kent and Everett and used locations in Seattle’s University District for distribution.
The investigation into the group began with wiretaps that led to fourteen arrests in October 2024 and five more in late 2025. The traffickers were often armed while handling drugs or guarding their supply. The leader of the organization was killed outside one of the University District sites during the summer of 2024.
At Saho’s sentencing hearing, Judge John H. Chun stated, “Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that has devastated far too many lives. One has only to walk out on the streets of Seattle to see how it has devastated our community.”
U.S. Attorney Floyd said, “Mr. Saho distributed thousands of fentanyl pills – the calls recorded on the wiretap indicated he had access to as many as 10,000 pills at a time. Each one of those pills had the potential of killing the user. Our community is safer when we are able to prosecute these drug trafficking rings and get the suppliers behind bars.”
April Miller, acting Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle, commented on law enforcement efforts: “Homeland Security Investigations, working closely with our law enforcement partners, led the investigation that brought Saho to justice and indictments for 18 others. Together, we are combatting the lethal effects of fentanyl in our communities by identifying, disrupting, and dismantling dangerous networks. Garnering this sentence for one of the defendants in this case shows our commitment to protecting the public and fighting violent crime at every level.”
Robert A. Saccone from DEA Seattle Field Division noted connections between drugs and firearms: “Drug trafficking and gun violence go hand in hand, and this case highlights the unfortunate reality, peddling deadly fentanyl and weapons in Seattle’s University District posed a clear and present danger to the entire community. The collaborative efforts of our federal prosecutors along with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners resulted in the dismantlement of this drug trafficking organization and brought us one step closer towards making America Fentanyl Free. DEA is committed to protect the United States from synthetic opioids by disrupting the fentanyl supply chain, reducing its availability, and saving American lives.”
Wiretap evidence showed Saho continued his activities even after police seized 5,000 pills from him during a traffic stop.
Over a yearlong investigation period authorities confiscated about 200,000 fentanyl pills along with four kilograms of cocaine; they also seized approximately sixty firearms—including Glock switches—multiple suppressors; plus $250,000 believed tied to drug proceeds.
Other members received sentences ranging from four years up to ten years depending on their roles within this operation:
– Cooper Sherman (“Coop”), identified as an organizational leader from Seattle: ten years.
– Khaliil Ahmed (“Bossup”) from Kent: six years for firearm offenses.
– Yohannes Wondimagegnehu (“Jon”) from Seattle: six years.
– Dominique Sanders from Everett: six years.
– Jaquan Means from Bellevue: six years.
– Oche Poston from Everett: five-and-a-half years.
– Patrick Smith from Seattle: four years.
– Anteneh Tesfaye from Edmonds: four years for illegal firearm possession.
Saho will serve four additional years under supervised release following his prison term but may be deported afterward due to lack of legal immigration status.
This case was part of broader work under Executive Order 14159 through Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), which coordinates multiple agencies against criminal organizations involved not only with narcotics but also human smuggling/trafficking within U.S borders.
The investigation included contributions by numerous federal agencies such as HSI; FBI; DEA; ATF; USMS; USPIS; IRS-CI; USSS; CBP (including Air & Marine Operations); Coast Guard Investigative Service—as well as local entities like SPD (Seattle Police Department), WSP (Washington State Patrol), King County Sheriff’s Office among others.
Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Jensen and Joseph Silvio prosecuted this case.
