Man implicated in drug ring that killed Lummi residents detained

Michael Young Jr. , a 44-year-old Tacoma man, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his significant role in a drug ring responsible for distributing over 800,000 fentanyl pills across various states, including Washington. His arrest came after a troubling spike in fentanyl overdoses among Lummi Nation citizens, which led to four deaths in just four days in September 2023 and prompted the tribe to declare a state of emergency. Investigators discovered connections between the drug ring and the overdose victims through phone records. U.

S. Attorney Charles Floyd emphasized the ongoing collaboration between federal and local authorities, including Lummi Nation Police, to dismantle the organization. Court records reveal that four individuals linked to Young's group were arrested in Whatcom County. This case underscores the dire consequences of the fentanyl crisis, significantly affecting the Lummi community. The Justice Department's response reflects a commitment to addressing this public health emergency.

Continued efforts aim to track down other members of the drug organization to prevent further tragedies.