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Narcotics, firearms, and chicken fighting paraphernalia were seized by North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force June 16 from a home in Okanogan that housed orchard workers. The seizure was made following a three month investigation, Sgt. Josh Petker said in a press release.
The announcement was made following the arrest of Christopher Gutierrez in the Omak area on July 1. Gutierrez has been arraigned and is being held on $100,000 bail. One suspect remains at large and this remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Detectives from the task force conducted multiple controlled drug purchases since March of this year from the 200 block of Conconully Road. Intelligence suggested that the suspects were heavily armed. NCWNTF executed a search warrant June 16 with the support of the FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, Colville Tribal Police, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, and Omak Police Department. The raid was delayed until the suspects departed for orchard work.
Agents seized two pounds of methamphetamine, .55 pounds of cocaine, 11 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, and 15 firearms, including 3 that have been confirmed stolen. An undisclosed amount of cash was also found on the premises.
The property also had thirty-nine fighting chickens, equipped with spurs, in small cages hidden in a ravine, according to the press release.
The task force is on life support following redirection of a federal grant by state lawmakers. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG Byrne Grant), a federal grant that has traditionally been earmarked for 20 narcotics task forces in Washington State, has been redirected to social support and diversion programs.
