KINGSTON — Warrants served at three homes in Kingston resulted in the arrest of six people on weapons and drug charges.
The arrests were the result of an ongoing investigation into narcotics offenses in North Kitsap.
Detectives with the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team, also known as WestNET, were assisted Wednesday by officers with the Bremerton Police Special Operations Group and Kitsap County Sheriff’s deputies.
WestNET detectives have been conducting an investigation in the Kingston area related to the illegal sales of opioid-analgesic prescription medications and marijuana to a large number of North Kitsap drug users and dealers, according to a press release issued by the Sheriff’s Office. “Criminal intelligence information determined that these suspects also were known to be a major source of drug supply for local teenagers,” the release stated.
Detectives had conducted a number of controlled purchases of narcotics from several suspects that led to the issuance of three search warrants. During the service of the warrants, detectives arrested six suspects; two more suspects are still at large.
A warrant served in the 17000 block of Parcells Road NE, Kingston, led to the arrest of an adult male for unlawful possession of a firearm, delivery of marijuana and possession of marijuana. This suspect is a convicted felon and, according to the Sheriff’s Office, advised detectives that he acquired the gun to protect himself in the course of his drug trade. He described himself as a “corporate weed dealer.” An adult female also was arrested at this location for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.
A warrant served in the 26000 block of Lindvog Road NE, Kingston, led to the arrest of one of the residents for unlawfully allowing two other suspects to live at his residence and illegally sell narcotic prescription medications and marijuana. The two other suspects residing there are being sought for multiple counts of delivery of morphine and marijuana.
The third warrant, served in the 27000 block of NE State Highway 104, Kingston, led to the arrest of an adult male for conspiracy to deliver oxycodone and OxyContin, felony possession of marijuana, and unlawful use of a building for drug purposes. An adult male and adult female were later arrested in the Kingston area for multiple counts of delivery of oxycodone and OxyContin. They are associates of the subject arrested at the State Highway 104 residence.
Opioid-analgesic medications such as oxycodone (Percocet), OxyContin, and morphine are schedule II drugs under the Controlled Substances Act because of their high propensity to cause dependence and abuse. Many abusers will chew or crush the pill and snort or smoke the pill material to defeat the intended time-release action of the medications. Snorting or smoking the drug hastens the drug’s absorption giving the user a euphoric high similar to heroin (also an opium-based drug). This kind of prescription narcotic abuse is becoming epidemic in local areas and leading to increased heroin use when users are unable to pay for or acquire prescription medications.
The West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. The task force is comprised of officers from:
— Bainbridge Island Police Department
— Bremerton Police Department
— Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office
— Mason County Sheriff’s Office
— Naval Criminal Investigative Service
— Pierce County Sheriff’s Department
— Shelton Police Department
— Port Orchard Police Department
— Poulsbo Police Department
— Washington State Patrol
Persons with information about illegal narcotics-related activity may call WestNET at (360) 337-7064. All callers can remain anonymous.
Residents of North Kitsap, Bainbridge Island, Olalla and Mason County can call toll free (800) 585-TIPS (8477).
The State of Washington offers a 24-hour Marijuana Hotline number for information leading to the arrest of marijuana growers. All calls are confidential: (800) 388-GROW (4769).
