Four arrested as police seize drugs, guns in Woodland raid

Police said they found methamphetamine and 10 firearms, two modified with silencers, in an early Wednesday morning SWAT raid in the 2800 block of Lewis River Road in Woodland.

Officers said they arrested an alleged meth dealer who lives on the property, 50-year-old Terry R. Olson, and three other Woodland men. All were taken to the Cowlitz County Jail.

Olson was jailed on suspicion of possessing meth with intent to deliver, operating a drug house, first-degree unlawful possession of three firearms and use of a firearm noise suppressor, according to a bulletin from the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force.

His bail was initially set at $100,000.

The 7 a.m. raid grew from a joint investigation by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum task force and detectives with the Clark-Skamania Drug Task Force, who obtained a warrant to search the property.

Heavily armed SWAT officers with the Washington State Patrol secured the suspects and buildings with help from the Cowlitz Meth Enforcement Team, the bulletin said.

Officers seized several ounces of suspected meth plus cash, weighing scales, ledgers and the guns, the bulletin said.

Also arrested:

n Donald H. McElfish, 59, for allegedly possessing meth.

n Robert D. Whitesel, 31, on suspicion of possessing meth and possessing a stolen firearm, and for a warrant charging a fishing violation.

n Brandon C. Willis, 34, for a warrant charging a fishing violation.

John Branton: 360-735-4513 or john.branton@columbian.com.