Oak Harbor arrest uncovers 5,000 fentanyl pills likely headed to Whatcom County
A 57-year-old Oak Harbor man has been arrested for allegedly distributing fentanyl and other drugs in Whatcom County and laundering the proceeds.
Andres Venegas Hernandez was under investigation “throughout 2025” by the Whatcom Regional Drug Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration Bellingham Resident Office, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
When the two agencies searched Hernandez’s home Wednesday they discovered about 435 grams of suspected heroin, 1,212 grams of suspected cocaine and 5,000 fentanyl-laced blue M30 stamped pills. The counterfeit pills are intended to look like oxycodone tablets.
Investigators also found drug paraphernalia, an electronic cash counter, a shotgun and $5,500, some of which was hidden in a Bible.
Hernandez was arrested on 11 charges: leading organized crime, money laundering, one count of delivery of cocaine, five counts of delivery of fentanyl, possession of heroin with intent to deliver, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver.
He was booked into Whatcom County Jail on Wednesday and is being held without bail.
Other agencies involved in the investigation include the Bellingham Police Department, Island County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol and the Washington Department of Corrections.
This story was originally published July 18, 2025 at 12:07 PM.