Over the past 36 hours, law enforcement agencies executed 13 search warrants and arrested eight of nine people charged in an indictment for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced the arrests, which are part of a larger investigation into drug trafficking activities in Tacoma involving members of the Knoccout Crips street gang.
Five additional individuals were arrested based on firearms and narcotics found during searches of their homes and vehicles. The drug trafficking ring had been under investigation for 18 months, including a two-month wiretap led by the FBI.
“Over the last 18 months, law enforcement carefully tracked the activities of this drug trafficking ring, seizing kilogram quantities of fentanyl pills and powder from checked luggage at Sea-Tac airport,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “The wiretap revealed the far-reaching scope of the conspiracy, with drug mules attempting to transport fentanyl from Arizona to Tacoma and in at least one instance on to Baltimore.”
W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, commented on the coordinated operation: “Yesterday, the FBI’s South Sound Safe Streets Gang Task Force, together with more than a dozen partner law enforcement agencies, conducted a large-scale takedown targeting violent criminal street gangs involved in drug distribution and other violent crimes in Pierce County. An 18-month investigation revealed that these gang members and associates were sending couriers down to a source of supply in Phoenix to bring huge quantities of fentanyl back to Washington state in their checked luggage for redistribution. This case is an example of the FBI’s commitment to combatting violent criminals and gangs, as emphasized in Operation Summer Heat, a nationwide initiative targeting violent criminals and restoring safety in our communities.”
Nine defendants have been indicted on charges related to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances:
– Bryant K Moss Jr aka ‘BJ’, 29, Tacoma
– Gary Williams aka “Fat Boy,” 36, Tacoma
– Dominique Woods aka “Kane,” 33, Spanaway
– Joshua Logsdon aka “Bird,” 38 Lakewood
– Michael Lewis, 32, Seattle
– Dallas Martin, 28, Phoenix
– Josaphina Diaz, 30, Tacoma
– Forest Neal, 31,Tacoma
– Genesis Moreau, 25 Vancouver
All are charged with conspiracy; some face additional counts tied to possession or distribution between March 2024 and April 2025.
Seven more individuals connected to this conspiracy were also arrested after probable cause was established during recent searches:
– James Whitaker, 37 Tacoma
– William Young, 47 Yelm
– Bryant Moss Sr.,48 Tacoma
– Jaylin Irish ,30 Tacoma
– Dominique Buffington ,31 Edgewood
– Troy Harris ,38 Tacoma
– An Do ,35 Tacoma
Investigators seized significant amounts during both prior operations and over the last day-and-a-half: earlier seizures included about 34 kilograms of fentanyl pills or powder (as well as marijuana and firearms). In just the past day-and-a-half authorities confiscated nearly 2.7 kilograms of fentanyl along with cocaine (228 grams), methamphetamine (6.85 kilograms), heroin (41 grams), over 27 kilograms of marijuana ($111K cash), and twenty-three firearms.
Given these quantities seized during this OCDETF-led operation—coordinated through federal task forces designed to disrupt high-level criminal organizations—some defendants could face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years if convicted. For more information about OCDETF programs visit https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Authorities stress that all those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristine Foerster and Crystal Correa.
Participating agencies include multiple federal partners such as Homeland Security Investigations; local police departments from Tacoma,Lakewood,Fife,and Seattle; county sheriff’s offices; state agencies like Washington State Department of Corrections; federal entities such as IRS-CI,U.S.Postal Inspection Service,Federal Air Marshal Service,Bureau Of Alcohol,Tobacco Firearms And Explosives,and others.
Operation Summer Heat represents part of broader efforts where federal resources join with state/local partners nationwide aiming at reducing violent crime through targeted investigations,surges,and takedowns focused on organized groups distributing illegal drugs across multiple states.
