MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was booked into the Grant County Jail on Wednesday on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to sell.

“The warrant was the second operation this week targeting illegal drug sales in and around Civic Park,” a release from the Moses Lake Police Department said. 

Efrain Castaneda, 28, was arrested at a motel in the 300 block of West Third Avenue, according to the release. Moses Lake officers served a search warrant on the property.  

It was the second time in less than six months that Castaneda was arrested on suspicion of selling narcotics, the release said.  

Castaneda allegedly was selling illegal substances to people who frequent Civic Park, the release said. Three transient subjects were in Castenada’s apartment when the search warrant was served.   

Moses Lake Police Chief Dave Sands said some successful drug investigations – with arrests – have occurred in the park over the last few months. It’s unclear, though, how and why the park became a location for drug activity, he said. 

Officers found a .22 caliber revolver in Castaneda’s apartment, according to the statement of probable cause filed with Grant County Superior Court. Officers also found a bag near where Castaneda was sitting. 

“Inside the bag there was approximately $293 in cash and a white crystalline substance which was consistent with methamphetamine in a small plastic (bag),” the PC statement said. “The white crystalline substance field tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 25.3 grams.”  

Castaneda told officers the weapon was for protection, since he had been robbed earlier this year, the statement said. He told officers he is addicted to drugs and was in possession of fentanyl. Selling drugs is his only source of income, he said. 

As of Thursday afternoon, Castaneda was still listed on the jail’s inmate roster. The case number in Grant County Superior Court is 25-1-00261-13.