By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Police seized an estimated quarter-pound of black tar heroin when they searched an apartment last night in Chehalis.
Three people were arrested in what the Centralia Police Department calls the culmination of a month-long narcotics trafficking investigation involving individuals from as far away as Puyallup.
A search warrant was served about 8 p.m. at the 300 block of Southwest Third Street, according to police.
Arrested were Darin L. Miles, 38, of Chehalis; Scott T. Johnson, 44, of Centralia; and Jose G. Estrada-Alva of Puyallup.
Officers collected items such as power tools and sports memorabilia believed to be stolen in various thefts and burglaries in the greater Twin Cities area, according to a new release this morning from the Centralia Police Department.
Police called the quantity of heroin significant; they also found a small amount of suspected methamphetamine and some pills, according to the news release. The exact weights have not yet been determined, police said.
The street value of a quarter pound of heroin in Washington state, according to tracking by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration is about $12,800, Officer Chris Fitzgerald said. It sells for about $100 per gram here, she said.
Miles’ girlfriend and two small children were at the home when officers arrived and allowed to leave with a relative, according to police.
The three men were booked into the Lewis County Jail, initially for offenses including possession and delivery of a controlled substance, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the news release.
The Centralia Police Anti-Crime Unit was assisted by Chehalis police and members of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
Update Thursday June 16, 2011 at 12 p.m.: The amount of heroin turned out to be just a few grams shy of a pound, according to Officer Fitzgerald. Street value: approximately $43,600.