Alleged Seattle black tar heroin distributor arrested on state drug trafficking charges
SEATTLE – A local man suspected of distributing wholesale quantities of black tar heroin throughout the greater Seattle area was arrested in Kent Tuesday during a joint enforcement operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Seattle Police Department.
Chuckie Mitchell, 30, who has an extensive criminal history including prior convictions for assault, domestic violence, felony drug trafficking, armed robbery and drug possession, was taken into custody on a probable cause. He was charged in King County Superior Court with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a firearm. Mitchell remains in custody at the King County Correctional Facility where he is being held without bail.
HSI special agents and SPD narcotics detectives, aided by personnel from the Washington State Gambling Commission, executed numerous search warrants related to Mitchell, who has been the focus of a long-term investigation related to Seattle’s current heroin epidemic.
“The number of recent lethal heroin overdoses in King County is alarming to say the least,” said Brad Bench, special agent in charge of HSI Seattle. “Through close collaboration with our SPD counterparts, Mitchell and numerous others have been removed from the drug trafficking business and their efforts to harm our community members ends here.”
During Tuesday’s enforcement operation, investigators seized narcotics packaging material, illegal prescription pills prescribed to multiple individuals, a Taser, and bulk cash, in addition to a stolen firearm, ammunition, and a Lexus sedan.
Charges are merely allegations and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
“Heroin is a blight on our community,” said Seattle Police Assistant Chief Robert Merner. “Our officers carry Naloxone in order to save the lives of those who have overdosed. By working with our local and federal partners to arrest high level heroin distributors like Mr. Chuckie Mitchell, our hope is to save countless others.”
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