Drug task force investigation leads to 11 arrests in one-day downtown Bellingham operation
A two-month investigation spearheaded by the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force led to 11 arrests in downtown Bellingham on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Investigators believe the lead suspect operated out of a recreational vehicle parked in the 100 block of East Magnolia Street, according to a news release issued Jan. 8 by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators served a search warrant on the RV in December, when they located 100 small packages of suspected fentanyl weighing around 226 grams, several small packages of suspected methamphetamine weighing 7 grams in total, a small amount of suspected fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycontin pills, 17 suboxone strips, a small amount of suspected psilocybin mushroom, and more than $4,000 in cash, according to the release.
Over the last two months, undercover detectives bought street-level amounts of fentanyl and meth from the lead suspect and his suspected associates in Bellingham, making about 24 purchases in total during November and December, the release states.
The suspected leader was arrested on suspicion of six counts of delivery of a controlled substance-methamphetamine; three counts of delivery of a controlled substance-fentanyl; possession with intent to deliver-methamphetamine and fentanyl; and leading organized crime.
The 11 people arrested Tuesday range in age from 22 to 48, and authorities anticipate additional arrests.
“Fentanyl is deadly and devastating,” said Lt. Keith Linderman of the Sheriff’s Office in the release. “Protecting our community from those who sell, and profit from, fentanyl means deploying vital resources like our Gang and Drug Task Force.”
The Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force includes investigators from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Bellingham Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Bellingham Regional Office also assisted in the investigation.
For information on overdose prevention and treatment resources in Whatcom County, visit Whatcomoverdoseprevention.org.
.jpg)