The FBI dismantles the drug ring in Seattle. The arrests also include prominent activists

Federal law enforcement officials in Seattle have announced the arrests of more than a dozen people accused of conspiring to distribute illegal drugs and money laundering in several states. The defendants include a prominent voice in Seattle's violence prevention efforts.

Representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI and Seattle police said the arrests were the result of a two-year investigation into a fentanyl distribution ring involving several members of one family.

According to Tessa Gorman, U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, the group's activities are linked to the overdose deaths that killed four members of the Lummi Nation near Bellingham last September.

“This investigation revealed that the human trafficking organization was a supplier to a community rocked by four fentanyl overdose deaths in just four days,” Gorman said in a statement. “Fentanyl continues to claim lives in our community – particularly in our tribal communities. We will do everything we can to stop the flow of this deadly drug.”

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FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard Collodi said the drug ring distributed more than 800,000 fentanyl pills throughout the United States, including Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Montana and Georgia.

Officials allege the human trafficking ring was led by 31-year-old Marquis Jackson, who they say commutes between Atlanta and his parents' home in Renton. His parents Mandel and Matelita, or “Marty” Jackson, were also charged.

Marty Jackson is executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of King County's SE Network SafetyNet initiative, which receives city and county contracts for violence prevention efforts in the Rainier Beach neighborhood of South Seattle and in Seattle public schools. King County awarded nearly $193,000 to the 100 Days of Peace initiative this summer.

Charging documents accuse Jackson of helping the human trafficking organization launder its money. She was released on bail.

A charging memorandum said she “mainly supported Jackson [drug trafficking organization] by helping to launder her money, both through structured deposits and by using her account as a “pass-through account” between Marquis and Markell Jackson and other members.”

The document said: “Matelita has longstanding ties to the community and no criminal record.”

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Ten of the 13 defendants arrested in Washington remain incarcerated at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac pending upcoming hearings. The U.S. Attorney's Office said another family member charged in the investigation, Markell Jackson, is a fugitive who is still being sought by law enforcement.

This is a developing story and will be updated.