TACOMA, Wash. — The Tacoma Police Department said it arrested a suspect in a narcotics investigation and seized fentanyl pills Sunday night.
The department's Special Investigations Division executed a search warrant on Puyallup Avenue where a suspect was located and taken into custody.
Tacoma police seized approximately 22,000 fentanyl pills, $10,750 in cash and a stolen handgun at the suspect residence and vehicle.
Court documents described the area where the suspect was arrested as an "open-air drug market."
Now, police are focusing efforts on areas like this across Tacoma to put a dent in the city's drug trade.
"In order to keep people that are addicted to these substances from using them, we have got to stop the people that are channeling the drugs into our city, and by focusing on the people who sell the drugs, who are in possession of mass quantities of these drugs with the intent to distribute, that's how we're gonna make an impact," Tacoma Police Department Detective William Muse said.
Tacoma Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh sent KING 5 a statement that read, in part:
"We are investing in both local and regional solutions that will help provide the services and support that our communities need, including Behavioral Health Crisis Response, community courts that use the criminal justice system to provide services rather than punishing addiction disorders, and treatment options to provide the right services in the right places at the right time. Specifically, the City is working towards executing a contract that would support an expansion of withdrawal management services at Metropolitan Development Council – doubling available beds from 16 to 32. We know this is a very critical time and these services are necessary.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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