A SeaTac man was arrested in a major drug bust Friday in Burien.

Rigoberto Sabalsa-Lozano, 43,  was manager of a Burien restaurant called the El Flamingo, which apparently served as headquarters for a major drug operation.

A 10-month investigation by a law enforcement team, dubbed Operation “Pink Tiger,” resulted in several arrests and the seizure of about 40 pounds of cocaine, a pound of heroin, guns, methamphetamine and about $240,000 in cash.

The operation was a joint effort carried out by the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Six suspects were arrested late Thursday and charged today with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. The arrests bring to 17 the total number of defendants charged in the case. One charged defendant remains a fugitive.

The operation took it’s name from the original target of the probe, who went by the nickname “Tigre,” and the fact that cocaine was wrapped in distinctive pink cellophane.

The first arrests and indictments in the case occurred in late March 2008, with the arrest of 10 people for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.

This investigation used court-authorized wiretaps, which were left in place even after the first round of arrests. The wiretaps lead to additional evidence which resulted in the additional arrests.

Last night, law enforcement executed seven search warrants and seized more than 16 kilos of cocaine, three guns and more than $203,000 in cash. Four cars also were seized.

An additional person was arrested for involvement in the drug conspiracy, but later was released when he was found to be a juvenile.

Eight search warrants were served on March 25, which resulted in ten arrests, seizure of two kilos of cocaine and a pound of heroin. In addition law enforcement seized three guns, eight cars and $40,000 in cash.

The drug-trafficking organization was based in Burien and had direct ties to Sinaloa, Mexico, said Special Agent-in-Charge Arnold R. Moorin.

“The organization was large, well-established and was distributing more than 30 kilograms of cocaine per month in the greater Seattle area, Moorin said.

Domingo Bailon-Yanez, 30, of Burien, was identified as the alleged leader of that distribution ring. El Flamingo Restaurant is owned by a relative of Bailon-Yanez, and both the manager of the restaurant, Rigoberto Sabalsa-Lozano, 43, of SeaTac, and bartender Carla Rodriguez-Romero, 26, of Kent, have been charged in the case.

Conspiracy to distribute the amounts of drugs involved in this case is punishable by a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison and a $4 million fine.

Use of a juvenile to facilitate a drug crime can add an enhancement to the sentencing range, under federal law.

SOURCE:

• KOMO News

SEATAC – Police in SeaTac arrested a man for the April 13 shooting death at a Dr. Dre book signing after-party in Tukwila, and today charges of second-degree murder and assault were filed by King County prosecutors.

Lovelychild “Freddie Mac” James Manuel (yes, that’s his real name) is in jail on $1 million bail.

Manuel is scheduled to be arraigned on May 8 at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

Devon Guidry was shot and killed and Paul Dervin was wounded by gunfire outside Gordon’s on the Green restaurant at Foster Golf Links, where a party had been held for the authors of the Dr. Dre biography

Witnesses told police that Manuel shot Guidry in the back of the head after an argument. He then fled in an SUV driven from the scene by another man.

Following the shooting, police received several anonymous tips that Manuel had been involved in the shooting and was planning to leave the state.

On Monday, King County prosecutors charged Manuel with second-degree murder and second-degree assault, both with firearm enhancements. He is being held in the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned May 8.

If convicted as charged, Manuel, who has two previous felony convictions, faces 23 to 32 years in prison.

SOURCE:

• The Seattle Times

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SEATAC – Surveillance video was release by the King County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday that shows a man standing in a hallway outside the Lowfare Fly Travel Agency, which was robbed Saturday.

Sheriff’s officials are requesting that anyone who recognizes the man in the freeze-frame above contact them immediately at (206) 296-4155.

Apparently the suspect was armed with a semi-automatic pistol that he used to rob an employee and steal cash, a cell phone and credit cards.

Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Department immediately.

SOURCE:

• KIRO News

SEATAC – The King County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man suspected of exposing himself at least 11 times in the SeaTac area.

He appears to be getting bolder and his activities are escalating, deputies reported.

Investigators released a composite sketch of the suspect Monday morning (see sketch at left).

In the attacks, the suspect has exposed himself to girls and women, aged 11 to 39, in apartment complexes. In some cases, he grabbed or groped the victim as she walked past.

The incidents began in late February. The most recent incident was occurred April 13. They all took place between 5 and 9:30 p.m.

Victims have described the suspect as a man in his mid-20s with olive skin. He’s 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 8 inches tall. He is always dressed in jeans and a hoodie sweatshirt with the hood cinched up around his face.

Here’s a list of the incidents from the Sheriff’s Office:

• February 20, 2008 at Windsor Heights Apts., 17229 – 32nd Ave S.
• February 28, 2008 at Carriage House Apts., 3608 S. 180th.
• February 29, 2008 at Windsor Heights Apts., 17229 – 32nd Ave S.
• March 10, 2008 at Hunt Club Apts., 3726 S. 180th.
• March 23, 2008 at Carriage House Apts., 3608 S. 180th.
• April 12, 2008 at Windsor Heights Apts., 17229 – 32nd Ave S.
• April 13, 2008 at Carriage House Apts., 3608 S. 180th

The apartment manager at Carriage House says there were at least four other incidents at the complex between March 10 and 21st that were not reported.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 or 911.

SOURCE:

• The News Tribune

SEATTLE – A man who shot and killed a Farwest cab driver in SeaTac before setting fire to the taxi has been convicted of aggravated murder and arson.

The King County prosecutor’s office says 19-year-old Earnest Lenell Collins of Seattle will automatically receive a life term with parole when he is sentenced May 9 in King County Superior Court. The jury returned with the verdict Friday.

Prosecutors say robbery was the apparent motive for the July 17 killing of the Farwest Taxi driver, Jagit Singh. He was shot twice in the head and his cab was set afire.

Collins fled and was arrested in Chicago.

SOURCE:

• Seattle P-I