A man arrested in Centralia following a sting operation led by the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) last year made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Tuesday to face felony drug charges.
David L. Barouh, 53, of Bellingham, is charged with four counts of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance. Barouh faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for each count, though state law allows for punishments of up to 20 years per count depending on the quantity of the drug involved in the crime, and whether the defendant has previously been convicted under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.
Barouh had been issued an arrest warrant on Dec. 5, 2025, according to court documents. He was arrested outside of Lewis County and posted a bail of $50,000 later that month.
Following his release from jail, Barouh was issued a summons to appear in Lewis County Superior Court on Feb. 3.
During the hearing, the prosecution and defense agreed to allow Barouh’s previously posted bail to remain in effect, so long as he abided by the standard conditions of release.
The judge granted the order.
Barouh is now scheduled to appear for an arraignment on Feb. 12.
According to court documents, JNET detectives identified Barouh as a suspect after arresting a man under suspicion of delivering a controlled substance in October 2025.
During a post-arrest interview, the man allegedly indicated he typically picked up roughly 2,000 to 3,000 fentanyl pills in Seattle from his source.
The detectives arranged for the man to set up a deal with his source down in Centralia, to include a $3,000 buy, a motel room and “a couple girls for them.”
According to court documents, the man said that Barouh “was really into prostitutes.”
The two men arranged to meet at the Centralia Inn right off Interstate 5.
Detectives arrested Barouh upon arrival.
During a search, detectives allegedly found about 346 grams of fentanyl — or 3,460 pills — along with “approximately 410 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 19 grams of suspected black tar heroin, approximately 71 grams of suspected cocaine and approximately 97 grams of suspected fentanyl powder,” court documents state.
Barouh has previously been convicted of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors say 30 past warrants have been issued for his arrest.
