11/04/2009: "Heroin-Cocaine Dealer Busted On SJI"

Unable to post $250,000.00 bail, Raul Vallejano of San Juan Island is sitting in the jail today, arrested for the sale of heroin and cocaine.

SJC Sheriff Deputy Detective Buchannan arrested Vallejano last Friday (10-30-09) after a Confidential informant (CI), facing their own pending criminal charges, agreed to make a controlled and monitored buy of drugs from Vallejano.

Vallejano has been on the Sheriff’s radar screen for some time as a result of a number concerned citizens contacting authorities to report his dealings of drugs.

Vallejano was arrested a year ago for “possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia;” a fact that will no doubt come into play in any sentencing action. The current felony charges can result in up to ten years in prison and fines up to $25,000.00.

In April of this year the CI was wired up with a body wire that allowed recording of the conversations between Vallejano and the CI.

Deputies and Detectives listened in as the CI purchased heroin and cocaine from Vallejano. After a series of documented buys -starting in April of this year, then in May, June and in July- were completed, the drugs were tested, and Vellejano was then arrested and charged.

Unable to make bail, he resides in the San Juan County Jail, then later this week will be moved to the Coupeville Jail. A date will be set for a trial in San Juan County Superior Court.