Drugs and firearms seized during search warrant in Ferndale, man arrested

FERNDALE, Wash. — The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release today, Friday, January 21st regarding the arrest of a Ferndale man and the investigation that led to the arrest.

According to the press release, the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force (WGDTF) concluded a several-month-long investigation into a suspected drug house in the 3400 block of Slater Road. Probable cause was established to arrest Douglas Earl Sandstrom, age 57, from Ferndale. Task force detectives reported that Sandstrom, a convicted felon, sold heroin and suspected fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills to an agent of the WGDTF on at least 4 occasions.

The WGDTF, along with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team arrested Sandstrom at his home without incident. Task force detectives, with assistance from Homeland Security, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Washington State Patrol and Anacortes Police Department K9 served a search warrant on Sandstrom’s residence and located cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, hundreds of suspected fentanyl-laced pills and drug paraphernalia including scales and packaging materials. 6 firearms were also seized, 2 of which were found to be stolen and 1 observed to have an illegal sawed-off short barrel.

“This case highlights the strong working relationship and cooperation amongst our regional partners to detect and hold accountable those that bring drugs into our communities,” said WCSO Undersheriff Doug Chadwick. “The Whatcom County Gang and Drug Task Force will continue to conduct investigations into the sale and distribution of illicit drugs, which negatively impacts our most vulnerable and our quality of life. This arrest is another example of the dangers and willingness of those involved in drug distribution to use firearms and violence to further their illegal activity.”

Sandstrom was booked into the Whatcom County Jail for suspicion of 3 counts of delivery of a controlled substance (Fentanyl) and 1 count of delivery of a controlled substance (Heroin), maintaining a drug house, 6 counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, 2 counts of possession of a stolen firearm and possession of an unlawful firearm.