[1]A Ford Excursion stretch limousine awaiting auction is one of four vehicles confiscated now by Centralia’s special Anti-Crime Team from suspected drug dealer Jai J. Bhagwandin.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A 29-year-old man arrested last month by Centralia drug officers for allegedly selling ecstasy was arrested again after two informants working with police reportedly bought $200 worth of ecstasy from him in the parking lot at Spiffy’s restaurant south of Chehalis.
Jai J. Bhagwandin, 29, was taken into custody on Friday, apprehended by law enforcement officers after he drove away following the encounter. He appeared in Lewis County Superior Court this afternoon, charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance.
His bail was set at $100,000.
The judge was told he retained a lawyer in his previous case, but ran out of money so qualified for a public defender.
Bhagwandin has 11 pending drug offense counts in Thurston County, the judge was told.
It was March 6 when Centralia’s special Anti-Crime team seized three vehicles, cash and drugs from a Lacey home following an investigation into suspected suppliers to numerous local drug dealers.
A search of that residence turned up about two pounds of hallucinogenic mushrooms, six ounces of suspected hash, five pounds of packaged marijuana, some prescription pills and less than a pound of MDMA, also known as ecstasy or Molly, according to police, as well as a large amount of U.S. currency stored in seal-a-meal packaging.
Bhagwandin now resides in Onalaska where his mother works as an alternative health care provider; his father was present in court today, defense attorney Bob Schroeter said as he appealed for lower bail.
Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead said further charges were expected as roughly a pound of marijuana was located in Bhagwandin’s Subaru Legacy following his recent arrest.
His arraignment is scheduled for this coming Thursday.