**NEWS RELEASE – NICOLAS “NICO” OROZCO-CRUZ ARRESTED FOR HEROIN SALES**
Administrative Coordinator Lorraine Shore from Clallam County Sheriff’s Office · 25 May 18
The Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have arrested 34 year old Forks resident Nicolas Orozco-Cruz (aka Nico), 37 year old Forks resident Elizabeth McKean, 39 year old Sequim resident Jessica Christman, and 39 year old John Killins of Sequim for their roles in the distribution of controlled substances in Clallam County. Their arrests follow a yearlong investigation, conducted by OPNET and the DEA, into Cruz and his drug trafficking organization. Cruz, and those in his organization, was one of the primary illicit drug suppliers of heroin and methamphetamine on the Olympic Peninsula.
Over the course of the investigation, members of OPNET interviewed many known heroin users about individuals responsible for importing heroin into Clallam County.
Several of these individuals stated that their source for heroin, or their source’s source for heroin, was a male known only as “Nico.” When these individuals were asked who the largest heroin dealers in Clallam County were, “Nico” was consistently identified as one of the top. OPNET investigators were told that “Nico” was distributing multiple pounds of heroin weekly.
“Nico” had been consistently described as a short, heavy set, Hispanic male, in his 30s. Other than possible descriptions of vehicles “Nico” was associated with, the individuals interviewed knew very little about him.
OPNET investigators performed surveillance at several areas where drug sales were suspected to be occurring, including the residence of Daniel Percival just prior to his arrest last year in another OPNET/DEA operation.
During these operations, one individual was seen, almost daily, going from one location to the next. This person matched “Nico’s” physical description and was seen driving vehicles consistent with what OPNET investigators were told “Nico” drove. This individual was identified by investigators as Nicolas Orozco Cruz.
Over the course of surveillance operations, OPNET investigators followed Orozco-Cruz from the west end of Clallam County to the Port Angeles and Sequim areas. Orozco-Cruz was seen going to several locations including parking lots and residences, and briefly meeting with individuals for short periods of time. The majority of the individuals whom he met with have been identified.
After interviewing some of these individuals, OPNET developed probable cause that Orozco-Cruz was selling heroin in Clallam County. OPNET presented their investigation to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the organizations agreed to combine efforts to dismantle Cruz’s organization.
On the evening of May 23rd Orozco Cruz was arrested by members of OPNET, the DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) as he exited one of the residences he is known to frequent at the Welcome Inn RV Park in Port Angeles. Orozco-Cruz was arrested without incident. Orozco-Cruz was transported to Federal Detention in Pierce County, prior to his initial appearance in U.S. District Court/Tacoma on May 24th.
Simultaneous search warrants, following Cruz’s arrest, were executed by investigators at the residence in the Welcome Inn RV Park and Cruz’s residence in Forks. A surveillance team in Sequim arrested Christman and Killins, just prior to Cruz’s arrest, near the Ross department store in Sequim.
On the morning of May 24th a Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy and Washington State Patrol Trooper arrested McKean after she returned to her residence in Forks where she resides along with Cruz.
Following the execution of the search warrants, investigators discovered and seized approximately $20,000 in US currency and three vehicles. Investigators have initiated drug asset forfeiture proceedings on the currency and vehicles; furthering efforts to permanently dismantle Cruz’s drug trafficking organization.
OPNET is a multi-agency taskforce comprised of Detectives from the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Port Angeles Police Department, Sequim Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Border Patrol. Administered by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, the mission of the team is to identify, investigate, dismantle, and prosecute members of mid and upper level drug trafficking organizations responsible for importing and selling controlled substances into Clallam County.
Sheriff Benedict is very proud of the coordination and assistance provided by the DEA, HSI, and our local partners in combating the illicit sales of controlled substances in Clallam County.
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