CLARKSTON, WA – A 44-year-old Clarkston man and his 71-year-old mother were arrested just after 10:00 a.m. yesterday after a Clarkston Police officer received a tip about possible drug activity in the 500 block of 8th Street. Benjamin McKenzie and Mona McKenzie were booked into the Asotin County Jail on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance With the Intent to Deliver. Officials say additional charges may be filed.
According to a Probable Cause Affidavit, Benjamin, also known as “Howdy,” was allegedly using a blue Subaru and their home to sell Methamphetamine, Fentanyl powder, and illegal pills in Asotin County.
“He/She advised Benjamin was bringing the narcotics in from the Yakima area,” the court document says.
A Confidential Informant reportedly told investigators that Mona kept a majority of the drugs in a safe located in her bedroom.
During an investigation, the law enforcement officer conducted physical surveillance of the pair’s home and “on several occasions observed foot traffic consistent with narcotics activity,” the affidavit says.
A search warrant was served at the McKenzies’ home Monday morning during which investigators “located large amounts of paraphernalia, packaging materials, and electronic scales,” according to the document.
“Detectives also located approximately 291 grams, or 10 ounces, of Methamphetamines. A majority of the narcotics were hidden around Mona’s bedroom, with another large bag hidden inside the home’s dryer along with two electronic scales,” the affidavit says.
According to the document, officers also recovered $2,188 in cash, adding that $300 was found in Mona’s possession at the time of her arrest. A .22 long rifle was reportedly found in her bedroom closet and seized because “Benjamin is a convicted felon and would have had access to the room, given that they were actively dealing together and a majority of the drugs and money were also located in Mona’s room.”
The arrests resulted from an investigation by the Quad Cities Drug Task Force.
