Prosecutors charge Seattle men accused of trafficking drugs to Whatcom County
Two Seattle men have been charged with supplying fentanyl and cocaine to Whatcom County following an investigation by the Whatcom County Regional Drug Task Force and the Bellingham office of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The investigation into a suspected drug trafficking organization that brought drugs to Whatcom County began in early 2026, according to court records. Investigators believed that Dario Misacango Gutama, 49, was acting as a dispatcher, taking orders of drugs over the phone and then sending couriers to fulfill them.
In this case, investigators suspected that Arnulfo Emmanuel Chapa-Urgiles, 33, acted as a courier.
Officers conducted controlled purchases of cocaine and fentanyl powder from Misacango Gutama in February and early March. They met with Chapa-Urgiles in Marysville to pay for and receive the drugs, court documents show. Detectives took photos and videos of the meet-ups.
Misacango Gutama and Chapa-Urgiles were arrested in Seattle on March 25. Chapa-Urgiles admitted to acting as a drug trafficker, according to court records, and said he was directed by a dispatcher. He said he received drugs from Misacango Gutama and then provided the proceeds back to him.
Chapa-Urgiles told police that there were drugs hidden in a nearby vehicle. When officers searched it, they found fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in small packages that appeared to be for distribution.
Misacango Gutama denied any involvement in drug trafficking. However, officers found multiple phones in his residence and car. One of the phones had multiple messages from people appearing to request drugs.
Officials seized about 741 grams of fentanyl, 222 grams of methamphetamine, 124 grams of cocaine and 13 grams of heroin from vehicles belonging to Misacango Gutama and Chapa-Urgiles. Investigators also found a digital scale, a notebook keeping track of drug deals and $7,667 in suspected drug proceeds.
Both men were booked into Whatcom County Jail and released Friday after posting bail.