3 arrested in drug raid

QUINCY — Six pounds of methamphetamine, as well as firearms and ammunition, were seized in a large drug raid in Quincy and surrounding counties.

Eduardo Garcia Gonzalez, 25, and Santos Gomez, 33, both of Quincy, and Matsu C.K. Thornton, 31, of Waterville, were arrested Thursday in Quincy after allegedly selling more than a pound of methamphetamine.

Following the arrests, local and federal investigators followed up on leads which led to raids in Waterville and the Yakima Valley, according to the sheriff’s office.

About six pounds of methamphetamine, with a street value of more than $80,000, as well as a ballistic vest, two firearms, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, more than $2,500 in cash and two vehicles, were confiscated in the raids. The total estimated value of the drugs and assets seized was more than $100,000.

The three suspects are booked into Grant County Jail on suspicion of delivery of a controlled substance and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. Garcia Gonzalez was allegedly found carrying a gun during the raid and faces a charge of delivery of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm.

Detectives are also reportedly looking into gang connections of Garcia Gonzalez and Gomez.

Grant County’s Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team joined forces with the Columbia River Drug Task Force, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as Quincy and Wenatchee police, because of the size and scope of the investigation.

“This was a big investigation involving a lot of agencies, and those partnerships helped take a large amount of meth and three suspects off the street,” Sheriff Tom Jones said.