On Wednesday May 4th Clallam County Sheriff's Office Chief Criminal Deputy and OPNET Commander Brian King and Port Angeles Police Department Detective Sgt. and OPNET Supervisor Josh Powless presented to the Port Angeles Noon Rotary Club . The topic was the current illicit drug trends, enforcement challenges and what it looks like here on the ground in Clallam County. With 2021 showing a 100% increase in overdose deaths in our county, the 2021 Blake case law decision and the dangers associated with the rapid expansion of fentanyl use in the United States it is easy to miss many of the successes of our OPNET team.
In the year 2021, OPNET opened 51 new cases and closed 38 cases. 25 of those cases were closed by arrest, 5 of them were closed with multiple arrests. OPNET arrested, or assisted in the arrest of 37 individuals for felony crimes. 95% of their cases were accepted for prosecution and 100% of those that have finished the prosecution phase were found guilty. OPNET seized over $7 million in illegal controlled substances, including:
Heroin 753.35 grams $75,335.00
Methamphetamine 187,153.58 grams $7,486,143.20
Oxycodone 14 dosage units $140.00
Suboxone 68 dosage units $680.00
Fentanyl Powder 1183.40 grams $23,668.00
Fentanyl Pills 279 dosage units $2,790.00
Other Diverted Pharmaceuticals 43 dosage units $645.00
The Olympic Peninsula Narcotic Enforcement Team (OPNET) is a multi-agency task force, which consists of detectives from the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Port Angeles Police Department, Sequim Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Port Townsend Police Department, United States Border Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
The team consistently works with federal partners, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the United States Coast Guard Investigative Services, and the US Marshalls Service, among others.
OPNET detectives often take the lead on the criminal investigation of controlled substance homicide deaths in Clallam County. These cases require considerable investigative effort to prove and be accepted for prosecution and are an important tool in holding persons accountable for providing illicit drugs that lead to a death. OPNET also provides support and assistance to area law enforcement on major crimes and complex investigations.
At this weeks Rotary presentation Chief King and Sgt. Powless answered a range of questions and brought (packaged and sealed) samples of illicit drugs seen on the street by officers. OPNET as a part of the community oriented policing mission of law enforcement makes staff available for presentations. Should your organization or group want to request an OPNET presentation please contact the Port Angeles Police Department or the Clallam County Sheriff's Office.
