Whatcom task force arrests four as part of drug trafficking investigation; 24 charges in all
Members of the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force (WGDTF) served a pair of search warrants Wednesday, Nov. 6 — one in Bellingham and one in Ferndale — that resulted in four arrests related to what authorities believe is a drug trafficking operation in Whatcom County.
The Bellingham warrant was served at a residence in the 2200 block of Valencia St., where Eric Ventress, 48, was taken into custody, according to a news release Thursday from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
A search of the residence yielded items indicative of cocaine and crack-cocaine processing and a pre-packaged bag of white powder that field tested positive for cocaine, according to the release.
Ventress was booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
The search warrants were the result of a lengthy WGDTF investigation, during which detectives observed Juan Mendoza, 32, of Sedro-Woolley appearing to make drug transactions in the Bellingham area.
When law enforcement officers attempted a traffic stop on Mendoza on Oct. 21 for a revoked driving status, Mendoza fled, according to the release. In the interest of public safety, there was no pursuit. The vehicle was located nearby with a different driver. A search warrant performed on the vehicle located a digital scale, Mendoza’s ID, zip lock bags and white powder.
On Oct. 24, Mendoza fled from Ferndale Police and Washington State Patrol, the release states.
Mendoza was at the Ferndale residence where the second warrant was served, in the 2300 block of Main Street, along with Morgan Stewart, 19, of Burlington. The investigation had established probable cause for drug possession and criminal assistance charges against Stewart.
Mendoza and Stewart failed to respond when ordered by law enforcement to come out of the building. Using video equipment, investigators watched Mendoza and Stewart crawl into the attic, where they remained for about 30 minutes.
Investigators said the two returned from the attic and moved rapidly between the bedroom and the bathroom, suggesting they were concealing or destroying evidence, according to the release. Law enforcement entered the building and took both into custody.
Officers reportedly discovered several grams of suspected fentanyl on Mendoza and suspected fentanyl-laced powder and cash in Stewart’s bra while booking them into Whatcom County Jail.
The Ferndale search warrant also yielded two firearms, one reported stolen based on a Bellingham Police Department report from 2022. Stewart has a felony conviction from 2022 and is not eligible to possess firearms. Meanwhile, Mendoza was the respondent on a no-contact order through the Superior Court of Whatcom County, which ordered him not to “own, possess, or control a firearm.”
The search also yielded plastic bags, a digital scale and a bag containing white powder (later field tested as baking soda). A bag containing several grams of blue pills stamped with “M 30,” which is consistent with fentanyl-laced pills, also was located.
The investigation also determined probable cause to arrest Steven Barnett, 41, of Oak Harbor for cocaine possession and intent to delvier charges. He was contacted and arrested Nov. 6. Investigators suspect Barnett supplied cocaine to Ventress. Barnett was also booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
“As we continue to combat the devastating impact of harmful drugs in our communities, we are committed to arresting those who are contributing to this destructive and deadly drug epidemic,” Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley said in the release. “I commend our WGDTF and our law enforcement partners for being relentless in the pursuit of safer communities.”
The search warrants led to a total of 24 charges against the four people arrested:
Eric Ventress: Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver - Cocaine; Maintain Dwelling for Drug Trafficking; Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine. In addition, the Bellingham Police Department had probable cause for Ventress for Assault 2nd (DV) and Assault 4th (DV) related to an incident in June.
Juan Mendoza: Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (2 Counts); Attempt to Elude Law Enforcement (2 Counts); Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree (2 Counts); Possession of a Stolen Firearm; Maintain Dwelling for Drug Trafficking; DWLS 1st Degree (2 Counts); Resisting Arrest; Obstructing Law Enforcement.
Morgan Stewart: Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (2 Counts); Rendering Criminal Assistance – 2nd Degree; Possession of a Stolen Firearm; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (2 Counts); Resisting Arrest; Obstructing Law Enforcement.
Steven Barnett: Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver - Cocaine.
This story was originally published November 7, 2024 at 5:22 PM.