MOSES LAKE — An 8-year-old child was taken into protective custody Wednesday after Moses Lake police served a search warrant at a residence in the 1200 block of West Gary Street as part of a fentanyl trafficking investigation. 

According to the Moses Lake Police Dept., members of the Tactical Response Team executed the warrant and discovered loose fentanyl powder in multiple locations throughout the home, along with evidence of drug trafficking and a firearm that was accessible to the child. Police arrested Paul Lee Fear, 36, and Brittany Dawn Silva, 34.  

Capt. Mike Williams said officers seized approximately a quarter ounce of fentanyl, about $3,500 in cash and a handgun during the operation. Williams said the child was turned over to Child Protective Services and received medical attention following the search. 

“We were able to remove the kid from a bad situation,” Williams said. “One of the highest priorities that we have is keeping children safe.” 

Williams said fentanyl poses a significant danger, particularly to children. 

“You can’t bring it around kids because it takes a very small amount to be potentially fatal for a kid,” he said. 

Fear and Silva were initially booked into the Grant County Jail on drug-related and child endangerment charges. Williams said Fear was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior criminal convictions, leading to an additional firearms charge. 

According to the Grant County Jail roster, Fear was booked on two counts of possession, delivery or manufacture of a Schedule I, II or III controlled substance, endangerment with a controlled substance and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. 

Silva was booked on two counts of possession, delivery or manufacture of a Schedule I, II or III controlled substance, endangerment with a controlled substance and a Grant County District Court warrant. 

As of Thursday, neither suspect had a full bail amount listed, and both remained in custody at the Grant County Jail.