Deputies with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, backed up by Longview police and the Lower Columbia SWAT team, hit a Longview location this week in a coordinated operation that ended with two arrests and a sizable haul of drugs, guns and cash. Officials said the team recovered nearly eight pounds of methamphetamine, several ounces of fentanyl and heroin, a 9mm pistol, an AR-style rifle and more than $4,200 in cash. A 23-year-old man from Seattle and a 47-year-old man from Longview were booked, according to the sheriff’s office, which described the sweep as part of an ongoing push to disrupt drug trafficking in Cowlitz County.
What officers found
According to KPTV, the Sheriff’s Office Crime Reduction Team seized about 7.78 pounds of methamphetamine, 4.42 ounces of fentanyl and 0.5 ounces of heroin during the operation. Detectives also reported recovering a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a .300 Blackout AR-style rifle and over $4,200 in cash, the sheriff’s office said.
Arrests and charges
The two suspects were identified as 23-year-old Belvis Rasagado-Tolentino of Seattle and 47-year-old David Clark of Longview. Rasagado-Tolentino was booked on three counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and two counts listed as “alien in possession of a firearm,” according to the sheriff’s office. Clark was booked on a possession with intent to deliver charge.
“Removing drugs and illegally possessed guns from the street is a top priority for the Crime Reduction Team,” the sheriff’s office said, as reported by KPTV.
Why this matters locally
Cowlitz County has been wrestling with the fallout from synthetic opioids, and local leaders say fentanyl is a big part of the problem. In a 2024 roundtable, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez's office noted that fentanyl-related deaths in Cowlitz County jumped from 18 to 42 between 2022 and 2023, a spike officials say highlights how dangerous fentanyl-laced drugs can be.
Research from the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute has found fentanyl at the center of overdose trends across Washington. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that pharmaceutical fentanyl is roughly 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, which means very small amounts can be deadly.
Legal notes
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, which runs the Crime Reduction Team, handled the operation. The county agency, based in Kelso, oversees criminal investigations and patrol services, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.
The counts listed by authorities are allegations, and the men who were arrested are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Prosecutors will review the investigation and decide whether to file charges in county or federal court, depending on the evidence and jurisdiction.
Help and next steps
Cases like this often take days or weeks before formal charges, arraignments and court dates are set, and the sheriff’s office has not yet released further timing details.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or at risk of overdose, Lines for Life operates a statewide helpline at 1-800-923-4357 and offers online resources for people seeking support.
