Bellingham Woman Arrested in Drug Investigation
Kim Ribble faces new drug dealing charges while awaiting trial for a 2020 overdose death.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Drug Crime
Police have arrested 62-year-old Kim Ribble of Bellingham on charges of drug dealing and maintaining a drug house. The arrest follows an investigation by the Whatcom Regional Drug Task Force and the DEA.
Why it matters
The new arrest occurs as Ribble faces an upcoming trial for manslaughter and controlled substance homicide related to a 2020 overdose death. Ribble remains in custody without bail following the October 15 arrest.
Kim Ribble is currently held without bail following her October 15, 2026, arrest on charges of drug dealing and maintaining a drug house. She previously received pretrial release in May 2025.
The players
Kim Ribble
The 62-year-old Bellingham resident is currently facing charges of drug dealing, maintaining a drug house, and manslaughter.
Whatcom Regional Drug Task Force
This multi-agency unit coordinates investigations into drug trafficking and distribution activities within Whatcom County.
DEA
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency tasked with combating drug smuggling and distribution.
Evan Parberry
The 31-year-old Ferndale resident died of a drug overdose in 2020, leading to a manslaughter case against Ribble.
The details
The Whatcom Regional Drug Task Force and the DEA initiated an investigation into the drug activity in early 2025. Authorities identified probable cause to take Ribble into custody earlier this month.
Timeline
August 2020: Evan Parberry died from an overdose.
Early 2025: The drug ring investigation began.
May 2025: Ribble received pretrial release from jail.
October 15, 2026: Ribble was arrested for drug dealing.
November 9, 2026: Ribble's manslaughter trial is scheduled to begin.
Legal Context
The charges against Ribble reflect an increasing trend of pursuing controlled substance homicide cases in Washington state. These efforts frequently involve multi-agency task forces targeting long-term distribution networks.
Local residents should be aware that the ongoing investigation by the Whatcom Regional Drug Task Force is focused on dismantling specific drug house operations. This process may lead to continued law enforcement presence as the legal proceedings against the accused move forward.
The takeaway
This case highlights how investigative efforts often expand to uncover ongoing criminal activity even while defendants await trial for past charges. Residents are reminded that local task forces continue to prioritize the elimination of drug houses throughout the county.
What happens next
Kim Ribble is scheduled to stand trial for manslaughter and controlled substance homicide beginning on November 9, 2026.
Further reading
Find more coverage of local enforcement efforts on our Drug Crime section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My Bellingham Now -.
