30 more arrests in meth-crime probe

Police across the region arrested 30 more people early Friday morning as part of an extensive investigation into Seattle-area burglaries, drug sales, and identity and car theft.

Since January, authorities have arrested more than 100 people, and Seattle police say they have seen a significant reduction in property crime.

Standing amid stolen Japanese swords, luxury cars, guns and plasma televisions, Seattle police Capt. Dan Oliver presented the results of what he calls the department's largest undercover operation focusing on methamphetamine-fueled crimes. The department's major-crimes task force launched the investigation with the suspicion that the most prolific burglars, car thieves, vehicle prowlers and identity thieves were tied to meth, Oliver said.

The tie to the drug was so pervasive that police and federal law enforcement nicknamed the operation "Crystal Blue Persuasion" — because meth often comes in a crystallized form.

"The way we're going right now, we'll make 170 arrests through this," Oliver said.

Oliver said the people who police are looking for are loosely linked. They may work together at times or share the same drug supplier.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents and the U.S. Attorney's Office have joined the investigation, which has stretched into Snohomish, Pierce, Benton and Yakima counties. To date, 13 people have been indicted federally and 123 charged locally, police said.

Oliver expects it will take another month before all the people police have identified are arrested.

By making the arrests, the department has seen a 20 percent reduction in auto theft and burglary this year, Oliver said.

"The most prolific criminals, we're going after," Oliver said. "I suspected we would see a drop, but not this steep and not this fast."

Officers have seized almost $1 million worth of drugs, 18 vehicles and 26 weapons as well as other items — night-vision goggles, flat-screen televisions, computers and even a bulletproof vest, police said. Undercover officers assigned to the operation also have made more than 130 drug and weapons purchases, police said.

Of the arrests so far, more than 90 people are being held on investigation of drug-related offenses, seven for investigation of burglary, 11 for investigation of identity theft or forgery, and three for their alleged connection to violent crimes.

Seattle police Capt. Michael Meehan, who oversees the narcotics unit, said one in four people arrested for property-related crimes nationally is motivated to get money so he or she can buy drugs.

He also cited a 2006 Snohomish County study showing that seven in 10 people arrested tested positive for drug use. Four in 10 of those offenders tested positive for methamphetamine.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294

or jensullivan@seattletimes.com