A San Juan Island man convicted three years ago of peddling cocaine faces a new round of felony drug charges following an early morning bust on Sunday in the De Haro Lane neighborhood.

The 25-year-old allegedly had three ounces of heroin in his possession.

Backed by a search warrant, San Juan County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Raul Vallejano, Jr. in the early morning hours of July 15 on charges of possession of heroin with intent to deliver and possession of cocaine. Authorities reportedly seized roughly 43 grams of heroin and six grams of cocaine at the time of the arrest.

According to authorities, the estimated “street value” of the three ounces of heroin could vary from $3,500 to $6,000 depending on quantities in which  it was sold.

Vallejano Jr. was slated to make an initial appearance in San Juan County Superior Court Monday. The 25-year-old was reportedly living in a small rental cabin on a property in the westside island neighborhood at the time.

A Class B felony, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver carries maximum penalties of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both; however the standard range of sentencing set by the state is 12 to 20 months in prison.

In December 2009, Vallejano Jr. pleaded guilty to three felony drug charges, delivery of a controlled substance, for which he was sentenced to a year in prison and nearly $4,000 in fines and fees. He had lived on the island for about five years at the time of his conviction.

— Scott Rasmussen

Journal editor