GRANITE FALLS — Police said many of the people arrested since Friday in a citywide drug sweep sold either methamphetamine, marijuana or prescription pills.
Seven people were jailed as part of Granite Falls’ effort to rid the small community of illegal drug activity.
“Residents are driving by the police department honking their horns cheering,” Police Chief Tony Domish said Monday.
Some people aren’t responding as well to the chief’s crackdown. Officers are investigating a verbal death threat made against the police chief, Domish said.
An informant told detectives, “The chief needs to be careful,” Domish said.
Granite Falls police worked with detectives from the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force for two years targeting people who were selling drugs.
During the investigation, four homes were raided with the last search conducted Friday. That’s when police also began making a sweep of arrests.
Two people who lived in the home that was raided were jailed. The man was arrested for investigation of drug charges. The woman is being investigated for using a building for illegal purposes.
The couple, and three others arrested, were released on their own recognizance.
Former Granite Falls Mayor Floyd “Butch” DeRosia was arrested and booked into the Snohomish County Jail on Friday. He posted a $20,000 bond and was released early Saturday, said Rebecca Hover, a spokeswoman for the jail.
Domish said DeRosia allegedly twice sold marijuana to an undercover police officer, including once at the former mayor’s home.
A Lake Stevens man, 53, remained jailed Monday afternoon in connection with the case. His bail was set at $10,000. Court records show that the man is accused of selling a small amount of methamphetamine on Jan. 13 to a confidential informant.
It will be up to Snohomish County prosecutors to decide if charges should be filed in any of the arrests.
Domish said he has probable cause to arrest two dozen more people, and police plan to pick those people up soon.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.