Assault call leads to illegal marijuana operation

QUINCY - A call for possible domestic violence led to the arrest of a Quincy man on suspicion of operating an illegal marijuana growing operation after a large amount of marijuana was found.

About 4 p.m. Saturday, deputies were called to the 800 block of Road H Northwest in Quincy to investigate a report of domestic violence. While on scene, deputies reportedly saw in plain view several Mason jars of what appeared to be marijuana, according to the sheriff's office.

Detectives from the Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team were called to search the property and several vehicles at the home. According to reports, detectives located 89 separate jars or containers of marijuana. The combined weight of the harvested marijuana was close to 17 pounds, with a street value at about $13,500.

Detectives also reportedly seized 60 rooted marijuana plants during the warrant search, according to the sheriff's office.

Lorenzo R. Barajas, 40, was arrested and booked into Grant County Jail on suspicion of fourth-degree domestic violence assault, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and manufacture of marijuana.

According to the sheriff's office, the amount of marijuana found was in considerable excess of the valid medical marijuana documentation provided.

"What was found here went far above and beyond the permitted medical and recreational possession limits in the state of Washington," Sheriff Tom Jones said. "The work of our INET and Grant County deputies is persistently paying off by getting theses illegal growing operations out of our communities."