The Washington City That Has Been Named the Drug Trafficking Capital of the State

Washington is known for its beautiful scenery, progressive politics, and strong economy. However, the state is also facing a big problem: drug trafficking and abuse, especially the rise of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. A new report from the White House says that Rossville is the place where this problem is most serious.

Rossville is a Place Where Drugs Are Sold

Rossville, Washington, is in the southeast part of the state and has a population of about 15,000. It is in an agricultural, rural area close to the borders of Oregon and Idaho. But it has its own problems because the typical household income is only $37,000, which is a lot less than the state average of $78,000. Drug traffickers use its roads and interstates to move drugs from California and Mexico to other parts of the country. This shows how strategically located it is.

Rossville has been called the drug smuggling capital of the state by the media. They say this because it is close to major roads, has a population with low incomes, and has a history of drug-related violence and corruption. There have been several large drug busts in the city, involving large amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, a very strong manufactured opioid.

The Problems and Their Solutions

The effects of drug abuse and crime are very bad in Rossville. There are more drug deaths, more crimes, more homeless people, and a general drop in health and safety in the city. There were 32 drug deaths in Rossville in 2021 alone, which is the highest rate in the state and more than six times the national average. The rate is 213 per 100,000 people.

The Big Bust That was Operation Sour Cream

In 2021, federal police launched a major operation called “Operation Sour Cream” against the drug crime network in Rossville. Drug traffickers hid illegal goods in 5-pound tubs of sour cream, which is how the operation got its name. Angel Rubio Quintana, 41, was arrested as a result of the investigation. He was in charge of a group that was linked to the powerful Sinaloa cartel. The media stress that “there are always more sour cream tubs on the road,” even though the arrest hurt the drug trading operation.

Conclusion

Rossville’s drug trafficking problem is not just a local issue; it’s a national problem that affects the health, safety, and well-being of both locals and tourists. Rossville needs to work with federal, state, and local governments, as well as community groups and partners, to find real solutions to this problem. It’s clear that Rossville needs to take action against drug trade and addiction for the sake of its people and future.