Armed Suspect Arrested with 900+ Suspected Fentanyl Pills, Methamphetamine and Cash
Spokane Valley Deputies, assisting Spokane Valley Investigative Unit Detectives, contacted and arrested an armed suspect in connection to a Spokane Valley Burglary investigation. At the time of his arrest, a loaded semiautomatic pistol and over 23 grams of Methamphetamine were recovered from the suspect’s pockets. The suspect’s vehicle was seized and after obtaining a search warrant, two additional handguns, over 900 suspected Fentanyl pills, stolen credit cards, and stolen property with the store loss prevention tags still attached were seized.
The suspect was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver and Concealed Firearms Violation.
This investigation continues, and additional charges and arrests are possible. All four occupants were residents of the camp and were trespassed from the property by camp staff.
On December 9, 2022, at approximately 10:45 am., Spokane Valley Investigative Unit (SVIU) Detectives, with the assistance of Spokane Valley Patrol Deputies, contacted four people in a 2003 white Aura in the 3200 block of E. Pacific (WSDOT Camp). The contact was made in connection to an ongoing Burglary investigation at Superstore 24, 13415 E. 32nd Avenue in Spokane Valley on October 14, 2022.
SVIU investigation gained information and evidence to seize the white Acura in connection with the October Burglary. On December 9, 2022, they learned the vehicle was in the parking area of the WSDOT Camp. They located and began to surveil the Acura.
At approximately 10:45 am, with the aid of Spokane Valley marked patrol cars and uniformed Deputies, they moved in and blocked the Acura, detaining the four occupants.
The driver, identified as 20-year-old Gavin B. Barrett, was found to have a loaded pistol in his pocket, and 23+ grams of suspected Methamphetamine was found when he was booked into jail. The substance was field tested and showed a presumptive positive result for Methamphetamine. Multiple small blue pills (“Mexis”) believed to contain Fentanyl were observed on the seats and floor of the vehicle, along with cash. The Acura was seized as evidence pending a search warrant.
The three passengers in the vehicle were detained and later released without charges. All four occupants of the Acura were residents of the camp and were trespassed from the property by camp staff.
During an interview, after being advised of his rights, Barrett initially claimed he had just purchased the vehicle and found a backpack that contained the handgun and suspected Fentanyl. He later admitted he had been selling “Mexis” for approximately 1.5 months. He purchased the pistol “for protection” from a person he knows.
Barrett was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver and a Concealed Firearm Violation.
On December 14, 2022, SVIU Investigators searched the Acura after obtaining a valid search warrant. They located two additional handguns, over 900 suspected Fentanyl (Mexis) pills, stolen credit cards, and property that still had the store loss prevention tags attached.
This remains, and active investigation and additional arrests and charges are possible.
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