News Bites for Nov. 17, 2023

EPHRATA — Grant County’s Interagency Narcotics Enforcement team conducted a drug bust Wednesday morning near Royal City and discovered an animal fighting operation, according to a Grant County Sheriff’s Office statement. 

At about 7 a.m. Wednesday, INET officers served a warrant at a home in the 16000 block of Raod C SE after a months-long drug trafficking investigation. While there, detectives seized about a half pound of probable crystal methamphetamine and more than $1,000 in cash suspected to be associated with drug sales. Additional evidence in the case was found including digital scales and packing materials. The approximate street value of the narcotics, if verified as crystal methamphetamine by a lab, is about $3,200.

Investigators also found at least 20 roosters that had been altered for cockfighting with their natural spurs, wattles and combs removed. Additional animal fighting evidence, including small blades that are attached to roosters in place of their natural spurs was found. 

Ignacio Gutierrez Martinez, 57, of Royal City was arrested and booked into the Grant County Jail for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and animal fighting. Animal fighting is a Class C felony. 

GCSO and the Office of Homeland Security aided in the investigation and bust.

    These blades were found during a Royal City drug bust where INET investigators found nearly two dozen roosters that had been cruelly modified for cockfighting. The blades are attached to the roosters’ legs in place of their natural spurs during illegal animal fighting events.
  

In a separate statement, GCSO encouraged drivers to ensure their wiper blades are replaced for International Check Your Wipers Day. Having quality wiper blades can help improve the safety of drivers and passengers to ensure optimal visibility during wet weather.

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department issued a public invitation for residents to join them this coming Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Moses Lake City Council chambers for a retirement party recognizing former Police Chief — now City Manager — Kevin Fuhr’s retirement from law enforcement. The chambers are located at the city office at 401 S. Balsam in Moses Lake.

OTHELLO — The Othello Police Department issued a statement Thursday asking drivers to exercise caution as winter weather returns to the Columbia Basin. The statement urges drivers to slow down, ensure their vehicles’ windows are free of snow, ice and frost, allow extra space between vehicles, leave early to avoid rushing, be cautious when passing, turn on headlights and avoid unnecessary travel on slick roadways. 

QUINCY — Four people were injured when a Moses Lake woman attempted to turn left and was hit by an oncoming car about nine miles south of Quincy Wednesday afternoon.

Jennifer Hill, 34, Moses Lake, was southbound and turning left from State Route 281 to the SR 281 spur road at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday when her car was hit by a northbound car driven by Rosalio Ibarra, 58, Bridgeport. The two vehicles collided in the northbound lane, according to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol. 

Hill was injured and transported to Quincy Valley Medical Center. Ibarra was not injured, but three passengers in his car, Antelia Hernandez Garcia, 45; Jennifer Ibarra Hernandez, 26 and a 9-year-old boy, all of Wenatchee, all sustained injuries. The three were transported to Confluence Health-Central Washington Hospital, the WSP memo said. Whether or not the passengers in Ibarra’s car were wearing seatbelts was not known, the memo said.