PORT HADLOCK — Three people were arrested this week for investigation of trafficking in heroin and other drugs, with one arrest resulting in the confiscation of about $100,000 worth of heroin.
“It seems that heroin is taking the place of some pills like oxycodone and we are seeing more of its use than in the past,” said Undersheriff Joe Nole of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Methamphetamine also was found, deputies said.
Nole said that this week’s arrests would not change the department’s drug enforcement strategy.
“We are always on the lookout for dangerous drugs,” he said.
Colette Marie Vail, 35, of Port Angeles was found early Wednesday morning with a package of heroin that had an estimated street value of about $100,000, according to Detective Brett Anglin of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
She was arrested for investigation of driving without a license, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver and one count of introducing contraband into a correctional facility.
She remained in the Jefferson County Jail on Wednesday with no bail set and has a court appearance scheduled for today.
On Tuesday, William Randall Rogers, 28, and Lacey Anne Hart, 22, both of Port Hadlock were arrested with eight grams of methamphetamine and four grams of heroin, with an approximate street value of $6,200, Anglin said.
Rogers was arrested and booked into the Jefferson County Jail for investigation of three counts of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver.
Hart was booked for investigation of two counts of delivery of methamphetamine.
Hart also had an outstanding warrant stemming from a previous arrest for investigation of delivering methamphetamine to a confidential informant on five occasions, four of which were within 1,000 feet of a school zone, Anglin said.
Rogers and Hart appeared in Jefferson Count Superior Court on Wednesday and are being held on a $30,000 bail.
Hart is scheduled to appear in Drug Court today while Rogers is set for arraignment at 9 a.m. Friday in Superior Court at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
Vail was pulled over Wednesday by Deputy Brian Anderson as she traveled on U.S. Highway 101 near Discovery Bay because of an expired license plate, Anglin said.
Anderson had noticed the smell of vinegar, which police said often indicates the presence of heroin, as well as an object wrapped in cellophane and in the shape of a burrito, Anglin said.
Vail was detained on the basis of the expired license and registration and taken to the sheriff’s office in Port Hadlock with her car in tow.
Once there a warrant was obtained and the vehicle was searched.
Deputies said they found about 803 grams of suspected heroin and 98 grams of suspected methamphetamine during the search.
After her arrest, a small amount of heroin was found on her person, Anglin said.
Rogers and Hart were arrested after an investigation into sales of heroin and meth in the Irondale area, Anglin said.
They were arrested at their Port Hadlock home after deputies received a tip, he said.
Anglin said the drugs will be shipped to a lab in Olympia for analysis and returned to Jefferson County as evidence.
Once they are no longer needed as evidence, drugs are incinerated, he said.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.