Cocaine bust nets arrest of 2 illegals

MOSES LAKE - Two Moses Lake men were taken into custody after Grant County's Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team and Grant County Sheriff's deputies served three search warrants at 1207 Patton Boulevard in Moses Lake on Wednesday, Feb. 27.

A pair of brothers from Mexico, not living legally in the U.S., were arrested, according to Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones. They are Alexander Zambrano Hernandez, 30, of Moses Lake, and Julio Zambrano, 21, of Moses Lake.

A Grant County Superior Court Judge authorized a search warrant for the person of Alexander Zambrano Hernandez, his vehicle and his residence. He is alleged to have been selling cocaine from his residence and vehicle on multiple occasions to INET detectives. He is also alleged to have been selling cocaine within a school zone. Several children live at the Patton Blvd. home.

"I am really happy about these arrests since children were living in that home," Jones said.

According to Jones, INET Detectives found nearly an ounce of cocaine, a scale and the undercover police buy money while serving the warrants.

Zambrano's vehicle was seized for facilitation of a drug transaction. Zambrano's brother, Julio Zambrano, was also arrested for possession of cocaine.

As a result, Jones, said, Alexander Zambrano Hernandez is facing charges of possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to deliver in a school zone, all of which are felonies.

INET, Grant County Sheriff's Office, Moses Lake Police and Homeland Security all contributed to this investigation.

"This case required great cooperation between all the agencies, and they need to be recognized for their great work," Jones said.

INET is comprised of detectives from the Sheriff's Office, Washington State Patrol, Quincy Police Department and Moses Lake Police Department. It is supervised by the Grant County Sheriff 's Office.