Thurston Co. law enforcement arrest 4 teens accused of dealing drugs Monday
Thurston County law enforcement arrested four teens accused of being gang members Monday following a months-long drug-trafficking investigation.
The Thurston County Narcotics Task Force worked with Capital Metro Special Investigations Response Team (SIRT) to execute multiple search warrants throughout the county, Sheriff Derek Sanders shared on Facebook Tuesday.
The warrants pertained to a six-month-long investigation into “juvenile gang-related criminal activity,” according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. During that time, task force detectives reportedly conducted “multiple controlled purchases of cocaine” from people suspected of being part of a street gang known as “The M’s.”
Meanwhile, SIRT and Olympia detectives investigated those responsible for a May 27 shooting in which suspected members of “The M’s” fired multiple rounds at suspected members of a rival gang known as “The 7’s,” per the release. Sanders described the incident as a drive-by shooting in his own post.
Law enforcement arrested four male teens, including three 17-year-olds and one 18-year-old, on Monday, according to the release. Sanders described one of them as the “gang leader” in his post.
The minors were booked into the Thurston County Juvenile Detention Facility while the legal adult was booked into the county jail, per the release. The teens were reportedly booked on many crimes including the following:
- Delivery of cocaine.
- Possession of cocaine with intent to deliver while armed.
- Delivery within a school zone.
- Unlawful possession of a firearm.
- Unlawful possession of a machine gun related to the use of conversion devices commonly referred to as “Glock switches.”
- Conspiracy to Commit Felony Assault in connection with a May 27 shooting.
The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office may consider more charges and enhancements, such as ones related to gang activity, as the investigation continues, the release states.
The Olympia Police Department, Lacey Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Washington State Department of Corrections assisted with the investigation, Sanders said.
