Seattle police raided a South Seattle smoke shop this summer as part of an investigation into stolen property trafficking, according to police records released earlier today.
In may, police received info about a possible fencing operation at Ethio Grocery on Rainier Ave S and S Adams from two juveniles, who told detectives they had sold stolen goods to an employee at the smoke shop.
Police worked with an informant—who had helped police in an investigation of another alleged trafficking ring at a downtown smoke shop in March—who made three visits to Ethio Grocery to sell various purportedly stolen items.
SPD records say the informant made their first visit to Ethio Grocery in May, and told an employee he was a “booster”—someone who shoplifts and sells stolen items.
The employee asked him to bring back GPS units and video cameras, police records say.
In July, the informant returned to Ethio with a bag full of cigars, hair conditioner, and razors, and told the employee he had “just hit Rite Aid and needed some money.”
Photo of possible suspect taken by undercover officers
The employee allegedly paid $8 for two packages of cigars, a razor, and two bottles of conditioner.
Police records say the informant made to other visits to Ethio in July and August, where they sold GPS units and several hats. Records say the informant told the Ethio employee he had taken the items in car prowls and shoplifts.
During one visit, the employee allegedly told the informant “that his boss told him not to buy anything because the police were targeting people,” an apparent reference to Operation Yellow Jacket, an SPD investigation which identified approximately twenty cab drivers allegedly involved in trafficking stolen property. Only one person has been charged as a result of the six-month-long operation.
In late July, undercover officers went to Ethio Grocery and purchased several items their informant had sold to the store. Police also surreptitiously photographed the employee who had allegedly purchased all of the stolen goods from the informant.
Police raided Ethio in August, but sources tell us the shop is back in operation.
We’re working to find out if anyone has been charged in connection with the case.
