WALLA WALLA, WA — Authorities in southeastern Washington have arrested a juvenile as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation connected to the Walla Walla State Penitentiary.

According to law enforcement, investigators were alerted by the penitentiary’s Intelligence and Investigation Unit to a suspected drug trafficking organization believed to be coordinating illegal activity both inside and outside the prison. Detectives had received information that a juvenile from Vancouver, Washington, was being paid to transport suspected methamphetamine to Walla Walla.

Investigators say the juvenile was allegedly instructed to deliver a package of suspected drugs to a designated drop location at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds. Detectives, assisted by the Walla Walla Police Department Drone Team, observed the suspect arriving at the site and placing an item matching the reported delivery instructions.

When officers made contact, the juvenile ran but was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit. A second juvenile seated in a nearby vehicle was also detained. Investigators later recovered a package at the drop site that tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine. The substance weighed about 85 grams and had an estimated street value of more than $20,000.

The arrested juvenile was booked into the Walla Walla County Juvenile Justice Center on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, controlled substance conspiracy, and obstructing a law enforcement officer.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities say more arrests or charges may follow as they continue to work with the Washington State Penitentiary’s Intelligence and Investigation Unit.

The case is being handled by the Walla Walla Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, which includes detectives from the Walla Walla Police Department, College Place Police Department, and Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office.