Employee at Whatcom County jail arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs into the facility
Authorities arrested an employee at Whatcom County Jail, along with one other person, on suspicion of smuggling drugs into the facility.
The employee was not directly employed by Whatcom County, but by a contracted vendor. He worked at the jail for about a month and quit before being arrested, according toDeb Slater with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began April 17 when detectives with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office were advised that several inmates were in possession of vaping devices and medication, which were found during a search of the inmates and their housing units, according to Slater.
The investigation found that a 45-year-old inmate had made arrangements for his fiancee, 40, to pick up contraband and provide it to the 26-year-old employee, who would bring the items into the jail during his shift, Slater said.
The items allegedly included vapes, nicotine pouches and methamphetamine, according to Slater.
The two smuggling suspects were arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a felony. However, neither had been charged as of Monday morning.
The inmate’s fiancee was arrested on April 29, and the employee was arrested on April 30, both without incident. Both individuals made bail and were out of custody as of May 5.
This story was originally published May 5, 2025 at 9:59 AM.
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