The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed charges against each of the individuals involved in this major Burien Police Department/King County Sherriff’s Office drug bust out of Burien.

King County Prosecuting Attorney-elect Leesa Manion

“Removing lethal narcotics from the street and stopping drug trafficking is a top priority for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. I am grateful for the hard work of the team of prosecutors involved, and the considerable efforts of the King County Sheriff’s Office and Burien Police Department.”

King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall

“I am proud to lead an agency with such exceptional deputies, detectives and law enforcement professionals. Our commitment to public safety never wanes and this historic seizure is evidence of our tireless effort to keep our communities safe.”

Charges Filed Today

• Sabas E Salomon Castro: Conspiracy to Commit Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act
• Rafael Salomon-Orduno: Conspiracy to Commit Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act
• Jose M Castro-Urias: Conspiracy to Commit Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act
• Mario N Renteria-Gutierrez: Conspiracy to Commit Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act
• Jesus A Herrera-Ungson: Conspiracy to Commit Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act
• Edward A Escamilla-Benitez: Conspiracy to Commit Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act

At last week’s first appearance hearings, the KC Prosecuting attornery's office asked for $2 million bail on each suspect, and a judge set bail at the following amounts:

• Sabas E Salomon Castro – $1 million
• Rafael A Salomon-Orduno – $25K after some indication from defense that defendant had been trafficked
• Jose M Castro-Urias – $500K
• Mario Renteria-Gutierrez – $10K
• Jesus A Herrera-Ungson – $500K
• Edward A Escamilla-Benitez – $500K

The next court date is arraignment, scheduled for January 9 at 9:00 AM at the MRJC.

Drug possession cases — even cases of people using meth and heroin on the streets — have not been felony crimes since the State Supreme Court’s Blake decision in February 2021.

However, King County prosecutors are still charging drug dealers, most often fentanyl dealers.

KING COUNTY STATS (August through November)

Over the last four months (between August and November) King County prosecutors have charged 122 drug dealing cases overall, predominantly fentanyl.

Here’s the breakdown by month