San Rafael raid targets alleged opioid dealer – Marin Independent Journal

A suspected drug dealer was arrested after the second raid in three months at his residence in San Rafael.

Johnnie Henderson, 59, was booked into Marin County Jail on allegations of drug possession for sale, illegal possession of ammunition and committing new crimes while being free on bail.

Henderson was no longer in custody Sunday. A man who answered the door at his residence, 26 Yosemite Road in the Contempo Marin neighborhood, said Henderson was not there.

Henderson has been a target of the Marin County Major Crimes Task Force since last summer. The task force said he was involved in methamphetamine sales in San Rafael and Novato.

In late October, the task force led dual raids at Henderson’s home and the Novato residence of an alleged accomplice, 32-year-old Timothy Melchior. Investigators arrested both men and seized marijuana, cash and suspected meth, cocaine and heroin.

Henderson was released on bail while his case proceeded in court. Soon the drug squad developed information that he had resumed drug sales, this time involving meth and fentanyl powder, said sheriff’s Sgt. Ryan Petersen, assistant commander of the task force.

“Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid approximately 50 times stronger than heroin,” Petersen said. “Marin County has the second-highest rate of opioid overdose deaths, in proportion to its population, among the Bay Area’s nine counties — second only to far more populous San Francisco.”

The task force organized another raid on Wednesday, this time including Drug Enforcement Administration agents with respirator masks and gear to protect from possible fentanyl exposure. San Rafael firefighters also came in case there were injuries.

Henderson was not arrested there, but based on the evidence found at the home, investigators started looking for him. He was arrested Friday on Merrydale Road and had suspected meth in his possession.

The task force is waiting for a state lab to test the evidence to determine whether it includes fentanyl.

Fifteen fatal opioid-related overdoses were documented in Marin last year, according to the California Department of Public Health.