More than $70,000 of fentanyl pills are off the streets after a two-month Grays Harbor Drug Task Force investigation, according to the Grays Harbor Drug Task Force.
On Thursday, May 19, Hoquiam Police Department personnel assisted GHDTF in the arrest of a 33-year-old Aberdeen man. His identity was not disclosed.
The vehicle he was driving was seized after Hoquiam Police Department Officer Jared Spaur and a “sniff” test by his K-9 partner “Niko,” resulted in a positive “indication,” from outside the vehicle.
The bust was not during a traffic stop, according to Hoquiam Police Department Chief Jeff Myers.
“Our narcotics dog was only called in to check the car,” said Myers in an email to The Daily World. “It was not a traffic stop. This incident was a DTF investigation.”
The man was booked for a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act (VUSCA) — delivery-or-trafficking — and then he was taken to Grays Harbor County Jail. The convicted felon is currently being held for “VUCSA Manufacture/Delivery,” and unlawful possession of firearm in the second degree. His bail was set at $50,000.
A search warrant was granted during the stop, which resulted in more than 7,000 “suspect” fentanyl pills, two handguns and approximately $1,200 in cash, which were all confiscated.
“The street value of the fentanyl pills is over $70,000,” the drug task force said in a statement.
Later, the man’s residence was searched in the 400 block of West 1st Street in Aberdeen. Grays Harbor Drug Task Force officers found four more rifles and a handgun inside the residence.
“One of the rifles is believed to be stolen and the agency that entered it has been notified,” the drug task force said.
Aberdeen Police Department personnel, as well as special agents from the DEA Tacoma Resident Office helped during the investigation, which is ongoing.
“The GHDTF is committed to stopping the illegal drugs that are poisoning our communities,” the drug task force said. “The GHDTF focuses on identifying and investigating middle to upper level drug traffickers.”
Those who have information about someone within Grays Harbor County that is involved in drug trafficking, report it to the GHDTF tip line at 360-500-4141.
