A federal jury in Spokane, Washington, has convicted Luis Esquivel-Bolanos, also known as “Colorado,” on multiple drug trafficking and firearms charges. Originally from Guerrero, Mexico, Esquivel-Bolanos faces a potential life sentence with the possibility of deportation after his sentencing on July 16, 2025. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice oversaw the trial, which began on April 14, 2025.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) identified Esquivel-Bolanos in January 2023 as a key member of a drug trafficking organization linked to the Jalisco Cartel. This organization distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl in Eastern Washington and into central Montana, impacting areas such as the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, and Rocky Boy’s Reservations. Within Eastern Washington, Esquivel-Bolanos operated alongside his co-defendant, Erubey Arciga Medrano, who had previously admitted his involvement in the conspiracy.
Testimonies during the trial revealed coercive tactics used by the organization, including threats linked to the Jalisco Cartel against informants and individuals accused of crossing the cartel. A series of police raids in Okanogan County in April 2023 led to significant seizures, including 161,000 fentanyl-laced pills and substantial quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, alongside firearms.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard Barker, who was involved from the outset, remarked on the scale of the bust: “The volume of drugs removed from Eastern Washington and Montana communities, including from Tribal land, is staggering." Kurt Alme, U.S. Attorney for Montana, emphasized the intention to "prosecute to the full extent of the law" those trailing drugs into tribal areas. Furthermore, Deputy Associate Director Tom Atkinson of the BIA highlighted the crucial role of law enforcement collaboration in tackling such transnational drug offenses.
David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division, identified Esquivel-Bolanos as a central figure in the cartel's operations impacting tribal communities, underlining the culpability of "the worst offenders" in fostering drug crises.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program facilitated the prosecution, underscoring a widespread federal, state, and tribal crackdown on drug trafficking in the Eastern District of Washington. Supporting agencies included the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and tribal law enforcement, with prosecutions extending concurrently to the District of Montana to handle 27 individuals.
The investigation was primarily conducted by the BIA Division of Drug Enforcement and the DEA, with significant input from local entities like the North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force. The legal proceedings were managed by a team including Acting U.S. Attorney Barker and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nowles H. Heinrich.