Mexican Nationals Sentenced to Federal Prison for Operating Multi-Year Fentanyl and Heroin Distribution Network in Washington

Benito and Antonio Perez Aguilar receive federal prison time for a multi-year fentanyl and heroin ring in Washington. Learn more about the DEA investigation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 9:57 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from DEA

The Dismantling of the "Miguel" Trafficking Alias

A multi-year investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration has culminated in the sentencing of two brothers who operated a significant narcotics distribution hub in Western Washington. Benito Perez Aguilar, 29, and Antonio Perez Aguilar, 32, utilized the shared moniker "Miguel" to facilitate the sale of deadly opioids between 2022 and 2025. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead sentenced Benito to 42 months in federal prison, while Antonio received a four-year sentence last month. The DEA Seattle Field Division spearheaded the operation, which focused on disrupting the supply chain of high-purity fentanyl and heroin that had become prevalent in the Kent and Mill Creek communities.

High-Volume Seizures at Residential Sites

The scale of the brothers' operation became clear on May 16, 2025, when federal agents executed simultaneous search warrants at their respective homes. At Benito’s residence in Kent, law enforcement recovered more than a kilogram of fentanyl powder and 76.5 grams of M-30 pills, alongside over $20,000 in cash. The search of Antonio’s Mill Creek home yielded even more substantial results, including 11,320 grams of fentanyl powder and over a kilogram of heroin. Investigators also found digital scales and packaging materials at both sites, confirming that the residences served as active processing and distribution centers rather than mere storage units.

A Fugitive History and Public Safety Risks

The prosecution highlighted a troubling history of criminal conduct regarding Benito Perez Aguilar that extended beyond drug distribution. In 2017, while driving under the influence, Benito caused a multi-vehicle collision on I-5 and reportedly attempted to bribe another driver with $2,000 to help him escape the scene. Although police recovered 411 grams of heroin from his vehicle at that time, he failed to appear for court dates and remained a fugitive for seven years. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd noted that his eventual federal arrest finally brought an end to nearly a decade of evading justice while he continued to profit from trafficking.