POULSBO — Law enforcement officers from Poulsbo and beyond took down an alleged heroin dealer this week as he attempted to flee while police stormed into his home.
Brandon Scott Severson, 28, of Poulsbo has been charged in Kitsap County District Court with two felonies: delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of heroin.
Severson was arrested on Dec. 16 in Poulsbo as police served a search warrant at his residence. Poulsbo police and Kitsap County sheriff’s deputies knocked on Severson’s door, but no one answered. Using a ram, officers broke down the locked front door. Severson allegedly attempted to flee out the back door, but officers watching the perimeter of the property apprehended him.
Detectives reportedly found 1.6 grams of methamphetamine and 22.5 grams of heroin in Severson’s room. A digital scale with heroin residue on it, and $1,235 in cash, were found on Severson as he was arrested, according to the police report.
Detectives reportedly found cellphones in Severson’s room that contained received and sent text messages detailing his sales of heroin.
Severson told officers that he is a methamphetamine user but does not sell drugs, according to the report.
The search warrant was served at least five days after detectives reportedly performed a controlled purchase of heroin from Severson. Between Dec. 9 and 11, detectives worked with a police operative who used recorded cash to buy heroin from Severson at an undisclosed, public place in Poulsbo, according to the report.
Officers allege they saw Severson walk to the public location and sell 1.7 grams of black tar heroin to the police operative.
Severson will be in Kitsap District Court on Dec. 31 and Jan. 14. He was being held Dec. 19 in Kitsap County Jail. Bail was set at $30,000.
The arrest is the result of a case brought forth by the Bremerton Special Operations Group, a division of the Bremerton Police Department that works with neighboring law enforcement agencies to tackle drug-related crimes.
The Poulsbo Police Department recently assigned one officer to the Bremerton unit in response to the recent rise in heroin use and related crimes.
“It’s paying off well, already,” Poulsbo Police Chief Alan Townsend said.
Severson’s arrest is the group’s first high-profile arrest in Poulsbo with the inclusion of a local officer.
