SEQUIM — Three people are in the Clallam County Jail after a two-day drug investigation that authorities say uncovered a major narcotics operation tied to Kitsap County.
The Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team—OPNET—says the investigation began March 11th and initially led to the arrests of Clallam County residents Patrick Nelson and Johnny Watts.
The following day, detectives developed information that additional suspects connected to the operation were staying at the 7 Cedars Casino in Sequim.
Investigators arrested 35-year-old Dylan Marsh-Backs of Kitsap County. Detectives say he was found with nearly 200 grams of fentanyl packaged for sale, along with a scale, packaging materials, and loaded pistol magazines. A search of his vehicle turned up a .45 caliber handgun. Marsh-Backs is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.
A second suspect, 43-year-old Jonathan Karns of Kitsap County, was arrested after detectives searched a vehicle containing his luggage. Authorities say they recovered more fentanyl, a scale with residue, drug sales records, a 9-millimeter pistol, and a shotgun. Karns is also barred from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions.
A third person, 41-year-old Lindsey Heidner of the Key Peninsula, was arrested for unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm.
Across the two-day operation, investigators seized more than 260 grams of suspected fentanyl, more than 500 grams of suspected methamphetamine, smaller amounts of cocaine, multiple firearms, and nearly 19-thousand dollars in cash.
Marsh-Backs, Karns, and Watts remain jailed on 250-thousand-dollar bail.
Authorities say the investigation involved multiple local agencies and assistance from 7 Cedars Casino staff.
