20 arrested in Seaside drug investigation

Published 5:00 pm Monday, September 3, 2012

A Clatsop County Drug Task Force investigation over the course of approximately 6 months resulted in the execution of multiple search warrants and arrests in Clatsop County Sunday morning, Sept. 2.

“Operation Pandora’s Box” resulted in 20 arrests as well as the seizure of methamphetamine, heroin and more than $2,500 in cash.

Search warrants were executed at three separate residences including a house at 920 6th Avenue in Seaside, and an apartment at 2149 South Franklin #7 in Seaside and a cluster of homes and trailers at 35005 Highway 26 near MP 4. Numerous agencies participated, including Patrol, Corrections (Jail) and the Parole & Probation Divisions of the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office.

Also included were the Clatsop County Drug Task Force, the Pacific County Drug Task Force, Seaside Police Department, Cannon Beach Police Department, Warrenton Police Department and Clatsop County Animal Control.

Due to the closely connected relationship of the drug trafficking between Clatsop and Pacific counties, the Pacific County Drug Task Force provided equipment and personnel to assist with the execution of the search warrants as well as the ongoing investigation.

The Drug Task Force had received numerous citizen complaints regarding the mentioned residences and several of the subjects involved over the course of several months. Investigation revealed the residence at 35005 Highway 26 to be a significant source of Heroin and Methamphetamine within Clatsop County and was also found to be connected with drug activity in Pacific County. Upon entry of the residence, law enforcement personnel encountered and secured two subjects as well as a pit bull dog. A total of 6 campers and RVs surrounded the house. 4 additional subjects were removed from the trailers. Residents arrested at the compound on drug related charges included, Erin Albert Ayles, Shelly Nichol Mcniel, Jacqueline Diane Ward, Christopher Arthur Monroe, Linda Kay Brazer and Ronald Keith Hobbs, all of Seaside.

None of the structures within the compound had electricity or water service. There were numerous electrical cords leading from a generator to several locations within the compound. Sewage from the compound was directed through pipes into the Necanicum River, which flows alongside the property.

During the subsequent search of the compound, detectives encountered hundreds of uncapped hypodermic needles, trace amounts of blood which commonly results from interventions drug use, as well as buckets containing urine and feces. This will also be turned over to Clatsop County Building and codes for investigation.

During the search of the compound two women, Nicole Elizabeth Williams, 19, and Lindsay Marie Ordway, 22, both of Seaside, arrived on scene to purchase illegal drugs. Detectives arrested both subjects for the attempted purchase of a controlled substance. Methamphetamine was later located on Ordway’s person.

The two previously mentioned residences within Seaside were also a source of illegal drugs, actively being frequented with a high volume of drug traffic, creating a hazardous environment within those neighborhoods and generating numerous citizen complaints. Drug related arrests at the 2149 South Franklin apartment included, Sahara Lee Elder and Robert Lee Hanson, both living in the same Seaside apartment. Hanson had an outstanding warrant as well.

Drug related arrests at the 920 6th Avenue residence included, Mark Robert Hanson, Margaret Norine Fournier, Jeremiah James Hughes, Kevin John Morse, Scott Eric Shirley Sr., Scott Eric Shirley Jr. and Jamie Loree Shirley.

Detectives later arrested two subjects, Steven Allen Millner and Friedrich John Ostermeier Jr., both of Seaside. Both men were arrested on drug related charges connected to the investigation.

Detectives also later arrested, Roger Wayne Mclaughlin in Astoria, on drug related charges, as a result of the ongoing investigation.

A total of 20 arrests were made on Sunday related to “Operation Pandora’s Box.” Eighteen of the subjects were taken to the Clatsop County Jail whereupon they were booked and lodged pending arraignment or early release due to lack of jail space and overcrowding.

Also as a side note there was one mother and daughter and two fathers and sons arrested in this case.

“As sheriff of this county I would like to thank all the Deputies and Officers involved from the numerous agencies who worked diligently to help with this large case. They did an excellent job and I am proud to work with these individuals every day,” said Sheriff Tom Bergin.

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