PORT ANGELES – A house raid just east of Port Angeles Thursday, conducted by OPNET detectives, yielded 4 arrests, a cache of drugs, a 9mm handgun and two Improvised Explosive Devices (or IED’s).
The warrant was issued following a year-long investigation into drug dealing at the house, in the 100 block of Avis Street, including the use of confidential informants to purchase meth from the home’s resident, 60-year-old Ronald Dean Kuchler.
In addition to Kuchler, his 32-year-old son Matthew Franke was arrested for Felony Violation of a Domestic Violence No-Contact Order, 43-year-old Miranda Lee Niehaus was arrested on a Failure to Report warrant, and 23-year-old Nitawsha Lee Towner was arrested for possessing meth and heroin.
Upon discovery of the I.E.Ds, the State Patrol Bomb Squad was called in to take possession of the devices.
OPNET Detectives were assisted by officers from the Clallam and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Lower Elwha Tribal Police, US Border Patrol, Olympic National Park, Washington State Patrol and Washington State Department of Corrections.