Relatives plead not guilty to federal drug charges
68 Comments | Email | Print | 1728 views Tahlia Ganser | Skagit Valley Herald
July 11, 2009 - 06:00 AM

SEATTLE — Four Burlington family members pleaded not guilty in a federal court Thursday to charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Jose Venegas, 33, his wife Nereyda Yasmin Perales, 26, and Venegas’ two brothers Javier Perales-Venegas, 40, and Juan Perales-Venegas, 34, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Seattle July 2 following a drug deal with an undercover police officer, according to a U.S Attorney’s Office news release.

The four face numerous drug charges. The men are also charged with possession of a firearm during a drug transaction. If convicted, the men face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. Nereyda Perales faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison if convicted.

Officers began investigating the case in February. They bought cocaine from Jose Perales-Venegas on two occasions in February, then negotiated a larger sale of two kilos in April for $55,000, according to the news release.

All four defendants were arrested April 17. They were originally charged in Whatcom County Superior Court and later deferred for federal prosecution.





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Latest comments

thanksha!

we trucked stuff for about 9 hours today, but im now in my new place. moved in with a friend, away from home :(

wow what…

Posted July 25, 2009 - 12:16 AM by hologram

Now you got it holo you may only be young but you have a good head on your shoulders and I like the way you say things sometimes good luck with moving…

Posted July 24, 2009 - 01:03 PM by dragonfairy32

for sure, i see where your coming from, but its not the pot that is at fault here, its the specific individual users in each specific individual event. …

Posted July 24, 2009 - 12:36 PM by hologram


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