WALLA WALLA — More than $100,000 worth of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cannabis was recovered by the Walla Walla Regional Drug and Gang Task Force in a search conducted during the arrest of a Walla Walla man.
Alejandro Romero, 35, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of possession with intent to deliver illicit drugs.
According to a news release from the Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, 2 pounds of fentanyl powder, 250 fentanyl pills, 2pounds of meth and 1 pound of cannabis was recovered.
Romero made his first appearance in Walla Walla County Superior Court on Monday, Nov. 20. As of Wednesday, Nov. 22, no formal charges had been filed by the Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
However, Romero faces a charge of possession of a controlled substance in connection to case for which he was arrested on Friday, Oct. 6.
Romero was on pre-trial release with an electronic home monitoring device and on a $50,000 bond for his October case when he was arrested in connection to this latest incident. Court records do not show a middle name for Romero.
While in court, prosecutors described Romero as a “drug kingpin” and argued he was a danger to the community. They said that because of the large quantity of drugs recovered, they think Romero was selling them rather than using them.
At the prosecution’s request, Walla Walla County Superior Court Commissioner Patricia Fulton revoked the bail set on his first case and instituted new bail of $50,000 on each of his two cases, for a total of $100,000.
She said the bail was necessary because the electronic home monitoring did not deter the suspect.
She also said that if Romero does post bail, he will be released with an ankle monitor again.
Walla Walla attorney Nicholas Holce was assigned to represent Romero. He was not present in court Monday and has reserved his bail arguments until after he meets with Romero about the new case. He also represents Romero on his first charge.
These cases are not the only incidents involving Romero. According to the online Washington court database, he has been convicted of five felonies since 2007 in Chelan and Snohomish counties.
The Walla Walla Regional Drug and Gang Task Force is a multi-agency team made up of officers from the Walla Walla Police Department, the College Place Police Department, the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Department of Corrections.
