Two Vancouver men arrested in connection with a large-scale drug operation, in which investigators recovered 2 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and a pound of suspected heroin, appeared Monday in Clark County Superior Court.
Gerardo Nunez Maldonado, 26, appeared via video on suspicion of unlawful use of a building for drug purposes, manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance, possession of heroin-manufacturing with the intent to deliver, possession of methamphetamine-manufacturing with the intent to deliver and possession of heroin.
Alejandro Urrutia Avila, 21, appeared, also by video, on suspicion of manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance.
Judge Gregory Gonzales set Nunez Maldonado’s bail at $10,000 and scheduled his arraignment for Oct. 16. Urrutia Avila was granted supervised release and is set to be arraigned Oct. 13.
In January, detectives with the Safe Streets Task Force, Bremerton Police Department Special Operations Group and DEA Tacoma began investigating Mexico-based drug traffickers operating in Washington. Investigators conducted at least five controlled drug buys from the organization, which is not named in court records, in Western Washington, including Clark County, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Nunez Maldonado’s case.
During the week of Sept. 14, detectives conducted a controlled drug buy from Urrutia Avila and Gerardo Nunez Alvarado, the affidavit says. The court document does not address the discrepancy with the defendant’s last name. However, a probable cause affidavit in Urrutia Avila’s case identifies his co-defendant as Nunez Maldonado.
A confidential informant contacted Urrutia Avila, asking to meet in Clark County to purchase methamphetamine. Investigators say they then watched the confidential informant meet with the men and obtain 3 ounces of suspected methamphetamine — a portion of which field tested positive for the drug, according to court records.
Investigators also watched Nunez Maldonado coming and going from his apartment in the 4600 block of Northeast 72nd Avenue. They obtained a search warrant for his apartment and an on-site storage unit.
On Friday, investigators searched the buildings. They reportedly found 2 pounds of prepackaged, suspected methamphetamine in his apartment and more than a pound of suspected heroin in the storage unit, along with digital scales and packaging material, the affidavit says. He was subsequently arrested.
In an interview with authorities, Nunez Maldonado allegedly admitted to selling methamphetamine and heroin, according to the court document.
Urrutia Avila was also later arrested outside of his apartment.
