Fentanyl Trafficking Ring Member Sentenced for Dealing to Lummi Nation Members
A Washington State woman is sentenced to four years in federal prison for her role in a fentanyl distribution ring that has had a “terrible” impact on the Lummi Nation, a tribe in northwest Washington State.
38-year Natasha Parkhill of Bellingham, Washington pleaded guilty in March 2024. Parkhill was one of six people charged in the investigation into fentanyl dealing in Whatcom County.
“This drug ring, and specifically Ms. Parkhill as a drug redistributor, had a terrible impact on the Lummi Nation – a tribe that is dealing with tragically high fentanyl overdose deaths,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman of the Western District of Washington.
Parkhill was arrested in January 2023 after her car broke down in a chase with law enforcement. She had about 1,000 fentanyl pills and $1,300 in cash in her car at the time of the arrest.
According to court documents, the drug ring moved fentanyl from the Seattle area to redistributors in Bellingham, about 80 miles to the north. Law enforcement officers watched various drug transactions conducted by the group. In one instance, law enforcement was called to a mini-mart where two people involved in the ring overdosed on fentanyl and had to be revived and taken to the hospital.
Lummi Nation Chairman Speaks
At the sentencing hearing, Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire spoke about the devastating impact fentanyl has had on his community.
“Drug dealing is a crime that is very much intentional and for monetary gain at the expense of familial loss. This destruction of our generations will have a long-lasting, negative impact on our people,” said Chairman Hillaire.
In a letter to the Court, Hillaire further described the devastation due to fentanyl.
“In our community, I have witnessed spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandchildren, cousins, and friends plan funeral arrangement for a loved one due to a drug overdose. I will never forget the cries of elementary-aged children crying for their father at his funeral and saying, ‘I just want my daddy’,” wrote Chairman Hillaire.
Two other members of the drug ring were earlier sentenced to prison, with one receiving ten years and another receiving six years. Another suspect pleaded guilty in January and will be sentenced in September, while a fourth suspect pleaded guilty in late June. A sixth suspect, Robel Sisay Gebremedhin, remains at large and is being sought by law enforcement.
The case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force led the investigation.