Police search homes of three suspected heroin dealers based on info from confidential informants

In an eventful week, police requested to search the homes of three suspected heroin dealers in Spokane based on information from confidential informants, according to court documents.

A confidential informant told Officer Mark Brownell that Jose “Joey” Sambrano, 54, was selling heroin from his car, garage and home at the Linger Longer apartments behind Motel 6 off Argonne Road, according to court documents.

In March, the informant bought a substance from Sambrano while wearing a wire and the substance tested positive for heroin, according to court documents.

A judge signed off Thursday on a search of Sambrano’s home.

In another case, a confidential informant told Brownell that Scott Ross, 32, was selling methamphetamine, heroin and mexi-pills, which are typically a mix of acetaminophen and fentanyl, according to court documents.

Federal authorities have warned of an increase in fentanyl distribution in Eastern Washington.

Prior to this investigation, the informant had told police about a cartel based group selling “large amounts” of illegal drugs and police were able to corroborate this information, the court documents say.

Ross was living in the Econo Lodge motel, the informant told police, according to court documents. At that address, the informant made a controlled purchase of drugs that are consistent with mexi-pills, the documents say. A man stepped out of the residence for a moment and police identified him as Ross.

A judge signed off for police to search Ross’s home on Wednesday.

In a third case, Brownell learned from an informant that a white woman known only to them as “Amber” had been selling heroin and meth from her room at the Rodeway Inn in Spokane Valley, according to court documents.

In this case, an “unwitting” person allegedly bought heroin from “Amber” to give to the informant. The substance the informant gave police tested positive for heroin, according to court documents.

Brownell wrote he believes “Amber” is selling heroin through an unwitting person “to keep heat off her and help shield her from law enforcement.”

Police were also set to search “Amber’s” residence Wednesday.

Maggie Quinlan can be reached at (509) 459-5135 or maggieq@ spokesman.com