Peninsula: Properties to be seized in drug case

Clallam County officials plan to seize seven properties — including one in Jefferson County — they suspect are connected to a statewide drug operation allegedly masked by a Sequim trucking company.

The properties, which include a Sequim residence and a parcel of land in Brinnon, allegedly contain evidence of narcotics manufacturing and distribution and money laundering.

Prosecutors have filed a complaint for forfeiture through Clallam County Superior Court on the home of Douglas Eugene and Vernell “Francine” Baker at 166 Old Dad’s Road, Sequim.

The Bakers were arrested with seven other suspects in the drug investigation, but all nine were released Wednesday without charges filed.

The Bakers are the owners of Hard Rock Trucking, an unlisted Sequim company that investigators believe is a front for marijuana and cocaine distribution, Undersheriff Fred DeFrang said.

Agents with the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team last weekend served 76 search warrants on 11 locations throughout the state and confiscated more than 1,000 green marijuana plants, about 10 pounds of cocaine, $10,000 cash and several items they believe were purchased with proceeds from the illegal operation.

Prosecutors this week have seized two other pieces of land owned by the Bakers.

Those include a metal building at 772 Forest Drive in Brinnon that allegedly housed three separate crops of marijuana, and property at Ocean Shores allegedly purchased with drug proceeds, according to forfeiture documents filed in superior court.

The rest of this story appears in the Friday/Saturday Peninsula Daily News. Click on “Subscribe” to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.

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