MOUNT VERNON, Wash., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- An investigation into drug trafficking in Washington's Skagit County has uncovered a Mexican group that allegedly served as a pipeline from Mexico to the area.
Federal agents arrested 26 people Friday, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced.
"The battle against drug trafficking is not confined to urban centers," said U.S. Attorney John McKay. "We are successfully targeting federal resources to enhance local efforts to stop the flow of drugs into rural parts of Western Washington."
The organization based in Sinaloa, Mexico, allegedly brought methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin to Skagit County, which lies more than 50 miles north of Seattle and close to the Canadian border.
Rodney Benson, the DEA special agent in charge in the region, said the group used vehicles with hidden compartments to bring drugs from Mexico to Washington state and the same vehicles to carry cash back.
