News Release [print friendly page]
August 13, 2002

For More Information Contact:
Thomas P. O'Brien
Public Information Officer
509-353-2906

MAJOR PSEUDO TRAFFICKERS OUT OF BUSINESS

This investigation was initiated and conducted by the DEA Spokane Resident Office Task Force with representatives from the Washington State Patrol, Spokane Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff's Office, Internal Revenue Service and the United States Customs Service.

This nine month OCDETF investigation focused on the distribution of pseudoephedrine, a List I chemical which is an essential ingredient in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. During this probe various investigative techniques were utilized to include undercover negotiations for the illegal distribution of pseudoephedrine from convenience stores in the greater Spokane area. In addition, agents were able to surveil various convenience stores and trace the pseudoephedrine to active methamphetamine labs, which were subsequently dismantled by law enforcement.

Investigation revealed that from November 2001 to May 2002, this organized group distributed 1240 cases of pseudoephedrine, which produces approximately 300 pounds of pure meth. KENNETH RASH of Ritzville, WA (formerly d/b/a KRASH Distributing Co. and WILLIAM O'DELL of Colbert, WA (d/b/a KRASH distributing East Co) supplied the convenience stores with the 1240 cases of pseudoephedrine.

On Monday, August 12, 2002 Kenneth RASH and William O'DELL were arrested by DEA and the Las Vegas Police Department in Las Vegas, Nevada and are currently in custody of the United States Marshal in Las Vegas.

Today, DEA agents and law enforcement officers armed with Federal arrest warrants and 24 search warrants were deployed around the greater Spokane area to disrupt and dismantle this drug trafficking organization. The arrested individuals will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Washington.

Asa Hutchinson, Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration said, "We are committed to going after the major drug trafficking organizations. Alongside our state and local counterparts, we will dismantle these organizations, seize their clandestine laboratories and clean up the toxic sites." Administrator Hutchinson added, "Drugs are a worldwide problem with a neighborhood solution - we want to address this problem with help from our communities."

John M. Bott, DEA - Special Agent in Charge, Seattle Field Division stated that, "Experience has shown that arresting individuals who are responsible for drug trafficking and drug-related violence can and does have a positive result on overall crime rates. DEA understands that cooperation among law enforcement is the essential ingredient for a recipe of success. Working with state and local partners across this region continues to result in successful approaches to crime and drug trafficking problems that plague far too many communities."

Spokane Chief Roger D. Bragdon stated that, "When you're doing drug enforcement at the community level it sometimes appears that you're always arresting drug users and sellers, the end of the line in illegal drug activity, so to speak." Chief Bragdon added, "This project is an example of how, by cooperating with other agencies, we can focus on the people who actually supply the chemicals used in making this drug. This is more efficient use of our limited resources, and can put a real dent in meth making in our area. We look forward to more projects of this type."

Sheriff Mark K. Sterk, Spokane County Sheriff's Office stated that, "The vast majority of the business community in Spokane County has done an excellent job of working with local law enforcement to combat the wave of methamphetamine abuse and production we have experienced the past two years. Most are working with us to make pseudoephedrine and other precursor chemicals more difficult to purchase and use for unlawful purpose. However, we are now aware of a handful of convenience store operators who have been selling cases of pseudoephedrine products out the back door to persons using it solely for the production of methamphetamine. I expect the arrest of these individuals will have a significant impact on our efforts to combat the use of methamphetamine in Spokane County, and I am pleased that the Spokane County Sheriff's Office is able to help in removing them from our community."

Following the press conference a list of the convenience store locations and of the arrested individuals will be provided to the media.

The arrested individuals should be considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.