3 More Drug Suspects Arrested
Three more suspects in an elaborate Inland Northwest drug ring were arrested Thursday, including one of the two alleged Spokane leaders.
James S. Larsen, E14120 Mission, was arrested about 9 p.m. at Spokane International Airport, according to an FBI source. No other details of the arrest were available.
Meanwhile, 11 more people connected to the case are still wanted by law officers for questioning or arrest, authorities said Thursday.
The suspects are among 35 people on a “hit list” issued to nearly 100 officers who spent Wednesday morning raiding 28 homes and businesses to break up the alleged cocaine ring.
Sources close to the investigation said the list of suspects includes a Spokane attorney, the owner of a restaurant and the daughter of a wellknown businessman.
“It’s got people shaking in their shoes,” one narcotics officer said of the investigation. “I just wonder how much dope was flushed last night in this town.”
The list served as a cover sheet for a 2-inch-thick packet complete with photos of the suspects’ homes, cars and driver’s licenses. Each profile detailed the person’s criminal background and suspected involvement in the coke ring.
Nineteen of the people on the list were arrested in Wednesday’s raids. Four others also were named in a federal complaint for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and a fifth is accused in a separate complaint for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, a lesser charge.
The 11 others, however, have not been arrested but are wanted at least for questioning, officers said. Some may be arrested in the next few days.
“It’s been one of the most closely held investigations in a long, long time,” said Spokane County Undersheriff John Goldman.
In addition to Larsen, two other people not arrested in the initial raids were taken into custody earlier Thursday and appeared before a U.S. magistrate. One of them is a coowner of Flaherty’s bar and restaurant downtown.
Leslie “Rick” Olsness, 49, S1222 Kahuna, surrendered to officials after being released from Deaconess Medical Center late Wednesday.
Olsness suffered heart problems a week ago, and underwent angioplasty to clear a clogged artery in his heart, said his attorney, Charles Dorn.
Dorn said Olsness denies any involvement in a drug conspiracy, and the government’s evidence against him appears to be weak.
James Miller, age not available, also surrendered to authorities on the conspiracy complaint. The registered firearms dealer was later released.
One man nabbed in the initial raids and then released was re-arrested Thursday after he yelled a taunting comment to an FBI informant Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.
Robert F. Dawson, 27, W1316 Cliff Place, had been ordered not to contact any of the six informants in the case. Hours later, he ran into an informant at Spokane Falls Community College and said the informant was responsible for his trouble.
U.S. Magistrate Cynthia Imbrognio ordered him returned to jail.
More arrests are “probable” as evidence is gathered against the other 11 suspects, investigators said.
“We’re talking about a circle of friends here,” one detective said. “Everybody kind of knows everybody and you have to move slowly to get what you need. They probably won’t be that good of friends for long.”
Staff Writer Mike Prager Contributed To This Report