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Federal Way man sentenced to 10 years in Seattle drug distribution case

The Courier-Herald reports Octavio Salazar Palma was sentenced on federal drug-distribution and money-laundering conspiracy counts in a case announced on Aug. 3, 2026.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 12, 2026, 12:52 p.m. ET

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Octavio Salazar Palma, of Federal Way, has been to ten years in prison followed by four years of supervised release, according to reporting by the Courier-Herald. The outlet reported the case was announced on Aug. 3, 2026. The charges in the case were conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to engage in money laundering, the Courier-Herald reported. According to the government's account as reported by the outlet, Salazar Palma was a leader in a wide-ranging drug distribution network operating in Seattle's International District and nearby homeless encampments, and his drug trafficking organization targeted vulnerable people living in encampments in "The Jungle." The Courier-Herald reported that law enforcement seizures in the case included methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl powder and pills, heroin, 17 firearms and more than $353,000 in cash. The Drug Enforcement Administration was among the investigating agencies. This account remains incomplete and is based on a single published report. Further details of the investigation and the proceedings have not been established here.

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Revision history

  1. Version 213 Aug 2026, 00:20current

    Added seven further outlets' accounts, including the guilty plea reported by the Bothell Reporter and Federal Way Mirror and the wiretap investigation reported by the Kent Reporter.

  2. Version 112 Aug 2026, 18:13current

    First published.

  3. Version 112 Aug 2026, 16:52current

    First published.

  4. Version 112 Aug 2026, 18:19current

    First published.

  5. Version 112 Aug 2026, 17:22

    First published.

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