Video: 16 people arrested in King County drug raid

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SEATTLE - King County Sheriff's deputies and Drug Enforcement Administration agents have wrapped up a drug bust operation against a cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine distribution ring.

Sixteen people have been arrested, more than 18 kilograms of cocaine seized and nearly a quarter of a million dollars confiscated.

Agents and deputies arrested six of the suspects in seven raids Thursday night.  The first round of arrests occurred in March when 10 people were arrested for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.

According to the Department of Justice, the ten month investigation was called "Operation Pink Tiger." The operation took its' name from the original target of the probe who went by the nickname "Tigre," and the fact that cocaine was wrapped in pink cellophane.

The investigation used court authorized wiretaps, which were left in place even after the first round of arrests. The wiretaps lead to additional evidence which resulted in the additional arrests.

Four cars were seized.

"This drug trafficking organization was based in Burien, Washington and had direct ties to Sinaloa, Mexico, an area directly responsible for sourcing drugs to the United States," said Special Agent in Charge Arnold R. Moorin.

Conspiracy to distribute the amounts of drugs involved is punishable by a mandatory minimum ten years to life in prison and a $4 million fine.