South Sound warehouse fire leads police to 1K cannabis plants — and bear traps
Police put out a fire at a warehouse in Pacific last week and discovered a marijuana-grow site with over 1,000 plants.
According to a news release from the Pacific Police Department, Valley Regional Fire Authority first got the call about the fire at about 6:34 p.m. on Saturday, May 23 in the 100 block of Stewart Road Southwest.
After putting out the fire, VRFA searched for victims but instead found the grow operation and a few bear traps. Firefighters called the police department, and police requested a search warrant that a judge granted on Wednesday, May 27.
When investigators entered, they found 1,000 marijuana plants and “extensive hazardous chemicals associated with the grow operation.”
“Four bear traps were located, positioned near entry points within the unit, creating a significant danger to first responders and others entering the property,” the release said. “Aside from the bear trap hazard, law enforcement and Pacific Code Enforcement noted numerous building and fire code violations, as well as indications of suspected electrical power theft associated with the grow.”
Police also found a second unit in the warehouse, the release said, and requested a second search warrant. Once they searched the second unit, they seized “several hundred additional marijuana plants.”
The News Tribune has reached out to the Pacific Police Department for more information, including how many plants were found in the second unit.
“The Pacific Police Department is continuing to work closely with Valley Regional Fire Authority, Puget Sound Energy, City of Pacific Code Enforcement and property management representatives to assess the safety and habitability of the building,” the release said.
Anyone with information should call the Pacific Police Department at 253-929-1130 or email Sgt. Tanner Knutsen at tknutsen@pacificwa.gov.
