Yakima, Washington – Jose Bautista Andrade, a 46-year-old Mexican national, has been sentenced to 132 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to fentanyl trafficking charges. The sentence was handed down by Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Andrade as working for a drug dealer based in Mexico. According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, Andrade made regular trips to California to collect drugs, which he stored at his home and storage units in Yakima before distributing them to customers in Western Washington.
In late 2023, the FBI conducted two controlled purchases from Andrade at Tacoma Mall, totaling four pounds of methamphetamine. Further investigation led law enforcement agents to execute search warrants on February 6, 2024, at Andrade’s home and storage unit. They discovered nearly five pounds of fentanyl pills, approximately 84 pounds of methamphetamine, and four firearms.
Chief Judge Bastian highlighted the significant quantity of drugs involved and described Andrade as a major player in the trafficking operation.
Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Seal for his role in resolving the case successfully: “Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Seal did an outstanding job bringing this case to a successful resolution,” Barker said. “His meticulous preparation and tenacious advocacy ensured that a major fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficker was held accountable.”
W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, emphasized the danger posed by such quantities of drugs: “Even in small quantities, fentanyl and other dangerous drugs can kill,” Herrington stated. He expressed gratitude for the investigators’ efforts: “By removing this drug trafficker and his supplies from the streets, our investigators have undoubtedly made Yakima a safer place.”
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Seal.
