Federal drug raids target Pierce County smoke shops

Federal agents wrapped up an 18-month investigation into alleged drug dealing with the arrests today of five people, including the operators of the Indian Smoke Shop in Milton and the Little Red Smoke Shop in Tacoma.

A complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma alleges Billy Miranda Flores, 40, of Puyallup, and his father, Bill Celeya Flores, 59, of Tacoma, sold hundreds of tablets of OxyContin, a powerful narcotic painkiller, at their shops, which are on Puyallup tribal land. The pills went for up to $80 each, according to the charges.

Three others were also arrested: Tiny Bean-Flores, 28, Tacoma; Danny Lee Sherwood, 25, of Federal Way; and Shelbie Ingham, 18. Drug Enforcement Administration officials have issued an arrest warrant for a sixth man, Jay Timothy Morehead, 24.

The charges allege Billy Flores was the principal supplier of the drug to others in the conspiracy.

Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI executed several search warrants on various sites in Pierce County, seizing guns, cash and hundreds of prescription narcotics, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Conspiracy to distribute oxycodone is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

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