CHINOOK — The Pacific County Joint Drug Task Force honed in on an alleged drug peddler following a traffic stop on Washington Street in Chinook on Feb. 23. Probable cause for the original traffic stop is unknown.

The vehicle, identified as a black 2017 Chevrolet Spark, was driven by Richard L. Brown, Jr., 58.

According to court records, task force officers applied for and were granted a search warrant for the vehicle and located a small black camera bag.

“Within that bag was a plastic bag containing approximately 15 [grams] of a white powder,” a task force officer states in court records. “I recognized this powder by sight from my training and experience to resemble fentanyl.”

“Also located within the bag within the bag was an Altoids tin that contained approximately 6 [grams] of additional suspected fentanyl powder. Located elsewhere in the bag was a plastic bag containing approximately 2.5 [grams] of suspected methamphetamine,” the officer added.

Brown reportedly admitted to the officers that the substance they found was indeed fentanyl and would weigh approximately three-quarters of an ounce. He then invoked his right to remain silent and requested a lawyer.

“I have conducted several investigations involving the sale of controlled substances, specifically investigations of sales of controlled substances on the Long Beach Peninsula,” a task force officer stated. “From these investigations, I know that one-quarter of an ounce of fentanyl powder is an amount that is believed by local fentanyl users to be an amount that an individual would possess if they were selling fentanyl powder, while Brown possesses three-quarters of an ounce.”

“Further, I know that fentanyl powder is often sold locally in small amounts at a rate of $10 to $12 per tenth of a gram, making the potential value of this fentanyl $2,100 to $2,520. In comparison, I know that one ounce of fentanyl can be purchased in Portland, [Oregon] for $800 to $1,400, creating the opportunity and likelihood of Brown selling this fentanyl for profit,” the task force officer added.

According to court records, just before his arrest, Brown had allegedly been to the Portland area and traveled to the area in a pattern.

Officers also acquired a search warrant for Brown’s residence and allegedly found a scale and potential packaging items.

Brown was arrested and booked into the Pacific County Jail for possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance. He appeared in Pacific County Superior Court on Feb. 24, and Judge Donald J. Richter set his bail at $10,000.

He is scheduled to be formally arraigned on Feb. 28.