Mexican national who lived in Federal Way sentenced for drug trafficking

Jose Gerardo Rodriguez-Montoya, a 30-year-old Mexican national residing in Federal Way, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. The U. S. Department of Justice detailed that authorities discovered three kilograms of fentanyl powder, heroin, methamphetamine, and a . 45 pistol in his apartment, highlighting a significant threat to public safety.

Rodriguez-Montoya's criminal activities came to light after he sold fentanyl to a confidential informant, leading to a surveillance operation that tracked his drug dealings. On April 6, 2023, he was arrested with substantial quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills in his vehicle, admitting to being a drug runner. The impact of fentanyl in King County is alarming, with over 1,000 overdose deaths reported in 2023, underscoring the severity of this public health crisis. Rodriguez-Montoya's father also fell victim to a fentanyl overdose in 2021, adding a personal dimension to the tragedy of addiction. Following his prison term, Rodriguez-Montoya is likely to face deportation, although the specifics of his immigration status remain uncertain.

His case sheds light on the urgent need for effective strategies to combat the fentanyl epidemic affecting communities.