The leader of a drug distribution network that sold fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in Seattle’s International District and nearby homeless encampments was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison.
Octavio Salazar Palma, 34, of Federal Way, Washington, was arrested in May 2025 after a lengthy wiretap investigation. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin told him at sentencing, “You were a leader in the drug conspiracy, you were the source of an extraordinary amount of drugs in our community…. Despite multiple seizures by law enforcement you did not stop, only the arrest made you stop.”
Salazar Palma pleaded guilty on April 15, 2026, to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to engage in money laundering. He will also serve four years of supervised release after prison and agreed to forfeit a 2024 BMW M3 Competition xDrive, a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe LT, and jewelry obtained with drug proceeds.
“Mr. Salazar Palma led the drug trafficking organization that targeted some of Seattle’s most vulnerable, living in encampments in ‘The Jungle’, while he bought expensive cars and jewelry with the profits,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division. “Today’s sentence and the seizure of massive amounts of fentanyl, meth, and cocaine demonstrate DEA’s commitment to dismantling these criminal networks along with our federal, state, and local partners. Through our Fentanyl Free America, we are disrupting the fentanyl supply chain, reducing its availability, and protecting American lives.”
In March 2025 alone, investigators seized 100 pounds of methamphetamine, 111 kilograms of cocaine, 19 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 250,000 fentanyl pills and four kilograms of heroin. The street value of those narcotics was nearly $3 million.
On May 29, 2025, law enforcement executed 16 search warrants across Federal Way, Vancouver, Everett, Pacific, Tukwila, Kent, Issaquah, Seattle, Woodlake, California, and Beaverton, Oregon. Agents recovered more than seven kilograms of cocaine, 18 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 57,000 fentanyl pills, 17 firearms and more than $353,000 in cash.
“This case began with officers on the street working their way up the supply chain until prosecutors had enough evidence to get a court approved wiretap,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “The wiretap allowed us to identify the leaders, and more importantly, interdict drug shipments before they hit our streets. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is keenly aware of the law enforcement problems facing the International District and is committed to doing all we can to address them.”
“Led by his own greed, Mr. Salazar Palma piloted an interstate conspiracy to distribute obscene and lethal amounts of dangerous drugs through the International District and homeless encampments in Seattle. No amount of profit can justify the cost of putting members of our own community at such a risk,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “I am thankful for the diligence and hard work of FBI Seattle and our partners as we remain dedicated to disrupting violent crime and making our streets a safer place.”
Prosecutors told the court that Salazar Palma trafficked drugs for personal profit rather than to support an addiction. Investigators found nearly $20,000 in cash at his residence that he admitted were drug proceeds.
“Our streets are safer today as Mr. Salazar Palma faces the consequences of his crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Carrie Nordyke of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office. “Illicit drugs have no place in our communities, and IRS-CI is committed to bringing those who choose to harm our friends and neighbors to justice.”
The investigation was part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative. It was led by the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Seattle Police Department, with significant assistance from IRS-CI, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, Homeland Security Investigations and the Washington National Guard Counterdrug Program. Investigators also worked with the Oregon State Police and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
