The local man busted during a raid on his Ballard home in April has been charged federally with selling marijuana to school students. According to the U. S. Attorney’s Office, Alejandro Castillo, 51, was charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana, two counts of distribution of marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. If convicted, Castillo faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
According to our news partners, The Seattle Times, Castillo’s home (in the 6700 block of 15th Ave NW) had been under surveillance by SPD after they received complaints from the parent of a middle-school student who had returned home “extremely high”. According to the U.S Attorney’s Office, information both gathered through surveillance and purchases by undercover officers revealed that Castillo and his associates were repeatedly selling marijuana to school students.
According to reports gathered from SPD surveillance, groups of students would walk from Ballard High School to Castillo’s home and purchase both marijuana and pot-laced edibles. According to The Seattle Times report, students as young as 12 were in possession of marijuana purchased at Castillo’s home.
During the surveillance period SPD Detectives witnessed students from Whitman Middle School and Ballard High School go to Castillo’s home and leave with bags of what appeared to be marijuana. According to the federal complaint, within a three-hour period on April 5, SPD Detectives witnessed “approximately 18 teenagers appearing to between the ages of 14 and 17 go to the Castillo residence, staying just minutes before departing.”
SPD served a search warrant at Castillo’s residence on April, 24 with officers finding 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana, nine trays of brownies (some pictured above), 11 firearms and $4,755 in cash. The criminal complaint revealed that Castillo stated he would not sell marijuana to students under 13 years of age “you’re too young. Come back next year,” he reportedly said.
The My Ballard team will continue to cover the case as it unfolds over the coming months.
Photos courtesy of Seattle Police Department.
