Three charged following drug-money laundering investigation

A 20-year-old Monroe man was among three Snohomish County residents arrested Wednesday, following a two-year money laundering investigation tied to multiple drug trafficking organizations, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Marysville couple Maria Angelica Maldonado and Ismael Garcia, Sr., were arrested at their Marysville home, and Anthony Bustos was taken into custody at his Monroe residence.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges Maldonado, 55, used her Everett business, Celulares y Multiservicios Latinos, profited by shipping large amounts of cash to Mexico for drug trafficking organizations, and an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force had been investigating her since December 2016.

During that investigation, an undercover agent and confidential source working with law enforcement allegedly recorded conversations where Maldonado admitted to laundering money for organized drug traffickers in Mexico.

She reportedly laundered more than $200,000 for undercover agents, believing the money was from drug proceeds, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Maldonado allegedly accepted money at multiple locations, including the parking lot of the Tulalip Casino.

According to the indictment provided to the Monroe Monitor, Bustos was arrested during a traffic stop in Monroe on Feb. 9, 2017, with what the U.S. Attorney’s Office states was more than a pound of heroin. The heroin was tied to Maldonado’s money laundering activities, according to the news release.

The indictment states the Monroe man is charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute and money laundering, for allegedly participating in the depositing of $3,500 in drug money into a Wells Fargo bank account on Sept. 9 in Lynnwood.

Maldonado and Garcia, 49, are both charged with conspiracy to engage in money laundering, and Maldonado is also facing one count of money laundering, which is an offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Law enforcement that participated in the task force investigation included U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Snohomish County Regional Drug and Gang Task Force.

Five search warrants were served on residences, plus Maldonado’s Everett business and six vehicles on Wednesday, Feb. 14.