Operation Stampede: Washington Crime Crackdown Nets 293 Fugitives and 455 Pounds of Drugs

The Center Square YT

•

September 18th, 2026

DESCRIPTION

A massive six-month crackdown on violent crime in Eastern Washington has produced a staggering haul. Operation Stampede, led by the U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement, targeted violent fugitives, gang activity, repeat offenders, firearms crimes and narcotics trafficking across Spokane, Spokane Valley and Yakima. The operation resulted in 293 fugitives arrested, 88 gang members or associates arrested, 336 warrants cleared, 55 firearms recovered, $2.5 million recovered and 455 pounds of narcotics seized. Safe Yakima Valley's Alicia Tobin explains how drug trafficking, guns, gang violence and human trafficking intersect in communities across Eastern Washington.

The Center Square YT

The focus of The Center Square's work is state and local level government and economic reporting. A taxpayer sensibility distinguishes our work from other coverage of state and local issues. As a result of this approach, our audiences are better informed about the focus of state and local government and its cost to the citizens whose tax dollars fund governmental decisions.