Five arrested in drug raid on Tumalo home, traffic stops

Citizen complaints of drug activity at a Tumalo home led to a raid and coordinated traffic stops in La Pine and Tumalo that brought five arrests and the seizure of “commercial quantities” of methamphetamine, heroin and psilocybin mushrooms, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said Friday.

Around 4:40 p.m. Thursday, members of the Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at a home in the 64000 block of Starwood Drive, assisted by the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team, sheriff’s deputies, the county’s Special Operations Team and Redmond police, said Sgt. Deke DeMars.

The operation followed a month-long investigation by street crimes detectives related to methamphetamine and heroin sales DeMars said, prompted by complaints by several citizens. Street Crimes Unit detectives used surveillance, traffic stops and other methods to learn meth and heroin were being sold from the home.

The investigation led to seizure of commercial quantities of meth, heroin and psilocybin mushrooms, along with packaging material, digital scales and other items used in drug sales, the sergeant said.

During the operation, Kenneth Sanders, 33, was found to be in possession of a loaded gun, DeMars said. Detectives also seized a surveillance system, including several cameras and a wireless receiver.

Annie Miller, 27, and Jacob Perry, 26, were arrested in a La Pine traffic stop, while Sanders and Lucas Nelson, 32, were arrested in a Tumalo traffic stop, DeMars said. Justine Durham, 33, was arrested later at the home.

Detectives worked with the state Department of Human Services to care for Miller and Sanders’ toddler, who was living at the home.

All five suspects were booked into the Deschutes County Jail, where they remained Friday. All were charged with first-degree child neglect and endangering the welfare of a minor, as well as various drug charges. Bail amounts ranged from $55,000 to $130,000. Perry was held without bail on a probation violation and Sanders was charged with felon in possession of a firearm.

Several recent drug raids have resulted from neighbor and citizen complaints. Our new KTVZ.COM Poll asks: Have you seen signs of illegal drug activity in your neighborhood? Find it halfway down the right side of our home page.