Law enforcement recovered approximately 14 pounds of methamphetamine concealed beneath clothing in a suitcase during a 2022 traffic stop involving Antonio Velazquez Encinas and his aunt. (Photo: U.S. Department of Justice)
SEATTLE — A 21-year-old Lakewood man will spend seven years in federal prison after admitting he led a drug trafficking organization that distributed pound quantities of methamphetamine throughout the South Sound, federal prosecutors announced Friday.
Antonio Velazquez Encinas received an 84-month prison sentence in U.S. District Court in Tacoma after pleading guilty to leading the drug trafficking operation. Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo also ordered him to serve four years of supervised release after completing his prison term.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, investigators first encountered Velazquez Encinas in 2022 when he was 17 years old. Law enforcement stopped him and his aunt, Martha Velazquez Sanchez, while they traveled from California with approximately 14 pounds of methamphetamine.
Authorities did not file charges at that time.
Investigation Linked Organization to 20 Pounds of Methamphetamine
Federal prosecutors later alleged Velazquez Encinas became the leader of a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing roughly 20 pounds of methamphetamine.
A federal grand jury indicted eight members of the organization on March 12, 2025. Prosecutors identified Velazquez Encinas as the lead defendant.
Court records state he arranged multi-pound drug deliveries while directing his brother, Keven Velazquez Encinas, and his aunt, Martha Velazquez Sanchez, to distribute the drugs throughout the South Sound region.
Judge Cites Community Harm
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Chief Judge Estudillo emphasized the widespread impact of illegal drugs on communities.
The impact that controlled substances have in our communities are immeasurable.
— Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo
The judge also noted that Velazquez Encinas “had been involved in this conduct for some time” and had “role models … guiding you on how to engage in this conduct.”
Federal prosecutors requested an eight-year prison sentence. In court filings, they argued Velazquez Encinas managed the organization’s drug sales by setting prices, accepting orders and directing others to complete deliveries.
The drug epidemic that has been raging for years has shown that this is by no means a victimless crime. Controlled substances have led to hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths a year.
— Federal Prosecutors, Sentencing Memorandum
Homeland Security Task Force Led Investigation
The investigation formed part of the federal Homeland Security Task Force initiative established under Executive Order 14159.
Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force led the investigation. Multiple federal agencies participated through the task force, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Shiner prosecuted the case.
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