36 pounds of cocaine seized in raids

Federal drug agents seized more than 36 pounds of cocaine and $203,000 in cash during overnight raids in Burien on Thursday, ending a 10-month investigation into a Burien-based cocaine ring with ties to Mexico.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the King County Sheriff's Office used wiretaps and surveillance to dismantle the organization. In all, 17 people were arrested and 16 have been indicted in U.S. District Court, including 10 people arrested last month. Agents seized an additional 2 kilograms of cocaine, three guns, cars and $40,000 in cash during the March arrests, according to court documents and the U.S. attorney's office.

"The organization was large, well-established and was distributing over 30 kilograms of cocaine per month in the Greater Seattle Area," DEA Special Agent in Charge Arnold Moorin said Friday.

The drug ring centered on the El Flamingo Restaurant in Burien. The alleged ringleader, Domingo Bailon-Yanez, 30, is related to the restaurant owner and was indicted, according to court documents. Restaurant manager Rigoberto Sabalsa-Lozano, 43, of SeaTac, and bartender Carla Rodriguez-Romero, 26, of Kent, also were indicted.

In addition to cocaine, the DEA alleges the ring also sold kilogram-quantities of heroin and methamphetamine.

Bailon-Yanez, Sabalsa-Lozano and Rodriguez-Romero and seven others are charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin. Six others are indicted with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

Given the quantities of drugs, the conspiracy charges carry mandatory prison sentences of 10 years to life.

A juvenile allegedly involved in the conspiracy was arrested but later released. In a news release, the U.S. attorney's office said enhanced prison sentences could apply because a juvenile was allegedly a participant.

The DEA dubbed the investigation Operation Pink Tiger, a reference to the nickname of one of the defendants and the fact that the cocaine came wrapped in bright-pink cellophane.

Mike Carter: 206-464-3706 or mcarter@seattletimes.com