The Whatcom task force arrests four people as part of a drug trafficking investigation; A total of 24 charges

Members of the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force (WGDTF) served a pair of search warrants on Wednesday, November 6 – one in Bellingham and one in Ferndale – that resulted in four arrests in connection with what authorities believe is a drug trafficking operation in Whatcom County. .

The Bellingham warrant was served at a residence in the 2200 block of Valencia St., where Eric Ventress, 48, was taken into custody, according to a news release Thursday from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

A search of the residence turned up items indicative of cocaine and crack cocaine processing and a pre-packaged bag of white powder that tested positive for cocaine in the field, according to the release.

Ventress was booked into the Whatcom County Jail.

The search warrants were the result of a lengthy WGDTF investigation during which detectives observed Juan Mendoza, 32, of Sedro-Woolley, appearing to be conducting drug transactions in the Bellingham area.

When law enforcement officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Mendoza on Oct. 21 for a revoked driving status, Mendoza fled, according to the release. In the interest of public safety, no pursuit took place. The vehicle was parked nearby with another driver. A search warrant was executed on the vehicle, during which a digital scale, Mendoza’s ID, ziplock bags and white powder were found.

On Oct. 24, Mendoza fled from Ferndale police and the Washington State Patrol, the release said.

Mendoza was at the Ferndale residence where the second warrant was served, in the 2300 block of Main Street, with Morgan Stewart, 19, of Burlington. The investigation had established probable cause of drug possession and criminal assistance against Stewart.

Mendoza and Stewart did not respond when ordered by police to leave the building. Using video equipment, investigators watched as Mendoza and Stewart crawled into the attic, where they stayed for about 30 minutes.

Investigators said the two returned from the attic and quickly walked between the bedroom and bathroom, suggesting they hid or destroyed evidence, the release said. Police entered the building and took both into custody.

Officers reportedly discovered several grams of suspected fentanyl on Mendoza and suspected fentanyl-laced powder and cash in Stewart’s bra while booking them into the Whatcom County Jail.

The Ferndale search warrant also turned up two firearms, one of which was reported stolen based on a Bellingham Police Department report from 2022. Stewart has a 2022 felony conviction and is ineligible to possess firearms. Meanwhile, Mendoza was the respondent on a Whatcom County Superior Court restraining order ordering him “not to own, possess or control any firearm.”

The search also turned up plastic bags, a digital scale and a bag of white powder (later field-tested as baking soda). A bag containing several grams of blue pills labeled ‘M 30’, which corresponds to pills containing fentanyl, was also found.

The investigation also determined probable cause to arrest Steven Barnett, 41, of Oak Harbor for cocaine possession and intent to file charges. He was contacted and arrested on November 6. Investigators believe Barnett supplied cocaine to Ventress. Barnett was also booked into the Whatcom County Jail.

“As we continue to combat the devastating impact of harmful drugs in our communities, we are committed to arresting those who contribute to this destructive and deadly drug epidemic,” Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley said in the news release. “I commend our WGDTF and our law enforcement partners for being relentless in the pursuit of safer communities.”

The search warrants led to a total of 24 charges against the four arrested:

Eric Ventress: Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver: Cocaine; Maintenance of home for drug trafficking; Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine. In addition, Bellingham Police had probable cause for Ventress for Assault 2nd (DV) and Assault 4th (DV) in connection with an incident in June.

Juan Mendoza: Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (2 counts); Attempting to Evade Law Enforcement (2 points); Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree (2 points); Possession of a stolen firearm; Maintenance of home for drug trafficking; DWLS 1st degree (2 counts); Resisting arrest; Obstructing law enforcement.

Morgan Stewart: Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (2 counts); Providing criminal assistance – 2nd degree; Possession of a stolen firearm; Unlawful possession of a firearm (2 points); Resisting arrest; Obstructing law enforcement.

Steven Barnett: Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver: Cocaine.