Tips led Pierce County sheriff’s investigators last week to a large marijuana grow operation hidden in buried shipping containers near South Prairie.

Investigators believe the operation had been in the works for some time and said the man allegedly in charge had not had a job in years.

Pierce County prosecutors on Friday charged Greg A. Riffero, 52, with unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver while armed with a firearm.

Court documents provided this account:

Two neighbors and another tipster contacted sheriff’s investigations about a pot-growing operation in the 13200 block of 225th Avenue East.

Deputies used thermal images of the property and got readings “consistent with a large grow operation,” court documents state.

On Thursday, investigators arrested Riffero after serving a search warrant on the property and uncovering the underground operation.

Deputies say Riffero had buried Sealand shipping containers and used them for the growing operation. The containers were accessible through a garage attached to the house.

The property also had surveillance cameras and a large metal gate with “no trepassing” signs across the driveway.

Investigators also found 288 starter plants, 87 adult plants plus supplies and equipment, including fertilizer, grow lights, temperature regulators, fans and pots.

“All items were working together in a very sophisticated grow operation that appeared to be several years in the making, considering there was old landscaping over the underground operation,” charging documents state.

Investigators seized $2,750 cash, four guns and items commonly used by drug dealers.

Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268

stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com

blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime