Colville Tribal Police assist in another major drug arrest

(Nespelem, WA) - The Colville Tribal Police assisted in the execution of a search warrant on May 9, 2023 and seized more than 1,000 fentanyl-laced pills. The seizure included 20 firearms and drug paraphernalia. Stolen property was also recovered, including stolen firearms and valuable personal property.

The property owner, 63-year-old Daniel Curdie, was arrested and booked into Okanogan County jail on charges of delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a building for drug-related purposes, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of an undetectable firearm. Bail was set at $250,000.00. Also arrested for delivery of a controlled substance was 51-year-old Kevin Devine. Bail for Devine was set at $125,000. Another individual, Sabrina Rounds, was arrested on an unrelated warrant.

The investigation, seizure and arrests were conducted by a team led by the North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force ("NCWNTF"), which is commanded by Colville Tribal Police Chief Steve Brown and which includes another Colville Tribal Police Officer assigned to serve on the Task Force. NCWNTF also includes detectives from the Okanogan County Sheriff's Office, Winthrop Marshall's Office and the United States Border Patrol. Other assisting entities included the Okanogan County Special Response Team. Detectives continue to work with burglary victims to identify and return the stolen firearms and personal property.

The arrests were the second time in a month that tribal police have been involved in a significant drug arrest with other agencies. More than 161,000 fentanyl-laced pills, some of which were believed to be headed for the Colville Reservation, were seized on April 19, 2023.

Fentanyl is the most common drug encountered by NCWNTF detectives. Only 2 milligrams of fentanyl are considered to be a potentially lethal dose.

Colville Business Council Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson said, "As I have previously stated, the Colville Tribes continues to aggressively hold drug traffickers accountable for their crimes. We know the damage these drugs do to our community and this seizure continues our efforts to eradicate illegal drugs from the Colville Reservation."

The Chairman continued, "I applaud the Colville Tribal Police for the great work they have done, and continue to do, to protect our community. I also wish to thank all the other federal and local agencies who contributed. The Colville Tribes appreciates its allies in the fight to keep our community safe and healthy."