Eight Arrested In Tonasket Drug Operation

Eight people have been arrested in connection with an alleged cocaine-trafficking ring investigators believe is headed by a Tonasket-area family, authorities said.

Okanogan County sheriff’s deputies and federal agents Sunday served five search warrants on members of the Maldonado family in a sweep that netted about 12 guns as well as crack cocaine and a small amount of marijuana, Sheriff Jim Weed said.

Six of those arrested were members of the family. Investigators believe the family heads an operation that buys out-of-state cocaine for distribution in north-central Washington, Weed said.

The eight people arrested were scheduled to appear in Superior Court on the charges, he said.

More serious federal charges involving interstate drug trafficking likely will be filed within about two weeks, he said.

Some of those arrested also may be indicted for conspiracy to deliver cocaine, he said.

Arrested for investigation of being aliens in possession of firearms were Dalia Deherrera Maldonado, 36; Alfredo Luis Maldonado, 25; Pablo Pineda Maldonado, 41; and Amador Sanchez Maldonado, 43.

Felix Sanchez Maldonado, 40, was arrested for investigation of possession of cocaine, and Saul Luis Maldonado, 38, was arrested on an outstanding county warrant for failure to appear in court.

In addition, Carlos Mondragon Garfias, 27, of Tonasket, was arrested for investigation of marijuana possession, Antero Carreno, 35, of Oroville, was being held by federal authorities on immigration concerns, Weed said.