SEQUIM — Three people were arrested early Thursday morning for investigation of possible drug-related crimes at a residence across the street from Greywolf Elementary School.
Authorities said the house provided cover for people to visit, sell heroin and methamphetamine, and go on their way.
“They were using the house as a storefront,” said Sgt. John Keegan of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
“We have no probable cause to believe they were selling, but we know the house was being used for drug purposes.
“It was like a convenience store for drugs.”
Keegan said there was no evidence that drugs had been sold to Greywolf students or on school property.
Arrested without incident at 11 Smithfield Drive were Klell “Casey” Morgan and Gary Otis Starks, both 53, and Janice Levone Marienau, 58.
All were booked without bond in the county jail on investigation of drug-related charges, including possession of small amounts of heroin and meth, Keegan said.
Keegan said the Sheriff’s Office had responded to 53 complaints at the residence this year that were related to stolen property, disturbances, fights, short-stay traffic and “suspicious circumstances.”
He said authorities are continuing their investigation into who was selling drugs at the residence.
Those arrested will face potential enhanced charges of selling drugs in a school zone.
Morgan, the renter of the residence, was arrested for investigation of possession of heroin and for unlawful use of a residence for drug purposes.
Keegan said authorities found just over a gram of heroin in the home.
Investigators obtained evidence over the course of an undercover buy operation that Morgan knew of the drug use and drug sales at the residence, Keegan said.
Starks and Marienau were arrested for investigation of possession of methamphetamine.
Starks was also arrested for investigation of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
More than 2 grams of crystal meth were recovered at the residence, Keegan said.
A 53-year-old man also was arrested at the home on an outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor driving offense.
He was not booked into the county jail.
The arrests were made after a search warrant was served by law enforcement officers from the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Sequim Police Department, Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team and the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS).
Keegan said the CGIS officers are based at Port Angeles Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office on Ediz Hook.
They also assisted during drug buys that precluded the arrests.
“They help us out,” Keegan said.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
