Massive King County Pot Bust Began With A Citizen's Tip

NEWCASTLE, WA - The King County Sheriff's Office busted a massive county-wide illegal marijuana growing operation, and the whole investigation began because of a tip from a local resident. The sheriff's office reported Wednesday that deputies served warrants across 27 locations in King County last week and arrested five people. During the searches, police recovered $3 million in cash and over 180 pounds of marijuana ready for sale.

The investigation began in March when a citizen told police about a suspected grow house along the 8600 block of 118th Avenue Southeast, which is a quiet area just north of May Creek Park.

An investigation into that house led police to "dozens" of other illegal grow operations around the county. Police also seized more than 6,000 marijuana plants. In addition to the cash and drugs, police seized five individual homes that investigators believe were purchased with proceeds from the sale of drugs.

Police have not released the names of the people arrested, but said they are facing multiple charges including manufacturing of marijuana.

Image via King County Sheriff's Office