Vancouver police make 2 arrests in heroin distribution case

Vancouver police officers with the Safe Streets Task Force served search warrants on two residences Wednesday, resulting in the arrests of two people allegedly tied to a heroin distribution case.

The Vancouver Police Department said in a Thursday news release that task force officers and a Neighborhood Response Team served search warrants at 15305 N.E. Fourth St., and 1115 N.E. Keyes Road Unit C1.

The search warrants were “related to an ongoing investigation involving heroin distribution and unlawful firearms possession by multiple suspects,” the news release says.

A police canine and handler — who completed training Tuesday — on their first deployment located two pounds of heroin, a rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, as well as other items believed to be tied to drug distribution. Police said $2,460 and a vehicle were also seized as a result of the search.

The amount of heroin seized in the case equates to what law enforcement describes as 2,000 doses.

“The heroin epidemic in the Vancouver metro area contributes to increases in property-related crimes and causes devastation to families impacted by drug addiction,” the department said in its news release. “Anyone suffering from drug addiction is encouraged to seek medical advice for rehabilitation options.”

Fidel Cordero Pineda, 21, was arrested on suspicion of two counts each of possession of heroin and intent to distribute the drug, with additional counts of the same charges pending. Jose C. Pineda Guerrero, also 21, was arrested on identical charges.

Both suspects were booked into the Clark County Jail.

Investigators continue to build the drug distribution case.