WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute were filed yesterday in federal court against a Whatcom County man after an investigation by local and federal agencies also resulted in similar charges against a woman from Fresno, California.
According to a complaint filed by the US Attorney in Western Washington District Court yesterday, July 26th, investigators with the following agencies and others have been investigating several individuals since June who were suspected of distributing fentanyl-laced powder, and other controlled substances, in the areas of Whatcom County.
- Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force (WGDTF)
- Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO)
- Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit (SCIDEU)
- Washington State Patrol (WSP)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Bellingham Resident Office
Since June 7th, undercover officers reportedly purchased quantities of controlled substances, including a “suspected fentanyl-laced powder,” from suspects on multiple occasions at Whatcom County locations. They also monitored meetings between suspects.
Over the course of the investigation, searches of persons, vehicles and residences in Whatcom and Skagit Counties located many items of evidence including the following.
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Click for more information- 375 grams of suspected methamphetamine
- 124 grams of suspected heroin
- 10 suspected “M30” fentanyl pills
- 3 1-kilogram bricks of suspected fentanyl pills
- 1 kilogram of fentanyl powder
- what appeared to be an improvised explosive device (IED) that incorporated nails to potentially injure anyone nearby in the event of an explosion
- a rifle, handgun and ammunition
As a result of the evidence collected, a complaint against Wayne Lee Lankhaar, age 61, of Whatcom County, was filed in federal court for possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver and with intent to distribute. In addition, a complaint was also filed against Yolanda Ortigoza Reyes, of Fresno, California, for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and multiple counts of distribution of fentanyl.
Lankhaar was arrested by the WCSO and booked into Whatcom County Jail on July 26th. He was transferred to federal law enforcement custody later that day.
In addition, 10 other people were arrested in Whatcom County by WCSO and booked into Whatcom County Jail on a variety of related charges including the following.
- Christina Marie Hein, age 44
- Manufacture/delivery of controlled substances
- Maintaining a house for drugs
- Gregory Allen Heit, age 61
- Manufacture/delivery of controlled substances
- Steven Glen Binschus, age 58
- Manufacture/delivery of controlled substances with intent to sell
- Maintaining a house for drugs
- Mary J Bohannan, age 58
- Manufacture/delivery of controlled substances with intent to sell
- William Loren Fife, age 67
- Felony criminal conspiracy
- 2nd degree unlawful possession of a firearm
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Loren Allen Walker, age 54
- 2nd degree unlawful possession of a firearm
- Manufacture/delivery of controlled substances with intent to sell
- Yvette Ramon Bailey, age 55
- Manufacture/delivery of controlled substances with intent to sell
- Maintaining a house for drugs
- Clarke Joseph Smull, age 55
- 2nd degree unlawful possession of a firearm
- Brian Paul Corbett, age 50
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Amanda Lee Lawrence, age 43
- Manufacture/delivery of controlled substances with intent to sell
As of July 27th, jail records indicated the suspects listed above remained in custody while awaiting preliminary court appearances in Whatcom County Superior Court.
Appreciate this reporting. Suggest asking authorities to quantify the amounts found, in terms of street use — for example, how many people could be kept addicted for how long, with the types and quantities taken off the street? This would help the public better understand the danger of this drug traffic and the benefit we get from the hard work of our law enforcement teams. The law-abiding reader doesn’t have a frame of reference for understanding the scope of impact expressed in grams, pills and powder.
Hey kids,look what grandma and grandpa got caught doing.I must say that this is odd.Usually it’s the younger druggies.