Two Port Orchard residents face drug charges after West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNET) uncovered its fifth clandestine meth lab in the past three months.
According to Deputy Scott Wilson, spokesman for the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department, Sheila McClain Hewitt, 41, and David Raymond Tarver, 55, and were arrested March 15 and later charged in District County.
Hewitt was charged with delivery of methamphetamine and her bail was set at $50,000, while Tarver was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine. His bail was set at $10,000.
A third person — Dawn Nadine Hagen, age 41, a resident of South Kitsap — was arrested at the scene and booked into jail on a misdemeanor warrant for possession of drug paraphernalia. She was booked and released on personal recognizance.
Wilson said the arrest was a result of a follow-up on a drug investigation. WestNET detectives uncovered lab inside an apartment n the 1900 block of Linclon Avenue SE on March 15.
It was the fifth meth lab uncovered in the past three months.
WestNET investigators had initially responded to the building to locate and arrest two suspects on narcotics manufacturing/trafficking charges as a result of a separate investigation.
Because of toxic and explosive materials inside the apartment, investigators and uniformed officers had to contact occupants of all surrounding apartments to temporarily vacate their homes.
A 5-year-old child in a nearby apartment was transported to a Tacoma hospital for a precautionary evaluation, while The American Red Cross helped with arranging temporary housing for building occupants, until the building was deemed safe.
Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Clandestine Lab Team assisted with handling and removal of evidence and the Kitsap Public Health District took samples from within the building for analysis. The state’s Department of Ecology responded and took away hazardous waste from the lab.
Wilson said two suspects were arrested and booked into Kitsap County Jail for manufacturing and possession of methamphetamine. One of the suspects was under active supervision by Washington State Department of Corrections. He was booked into jail with applicable probation violation charges.
More than 20 person have been arrested from finding the five clandestine meth labs. Charges range from leading organized crime to manufacturing.
The task force expects to make additional arrests related to this investigation.
WestNET is a multi-jurisdictional task force staffed with law enforcement officers from
county, state, local municipalities and federal agencies.
Citizens with information about narcotics related activity cab call WestNET at (360) 337-7064. All callers will remain anonymous. For callers in Olalla and Mason County, call 1-800-585-TIPS (8477).
