100 marijuana plants seized, Royal resident arrested

ROYAL CITY — A rural Royal City man was arrested, and 100 marijuana plants were seized when law enforcement uncovered an illegal marijuana growing operation near Royal last week.

According to Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones, a Grant County Sheriff’s deputy, acting on a tip from a citizen, contacted detectives with the Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET) to report the possible illegal marijuana growing operation.

INET detectives followed up on the tip, Jones said, and their investigation led to search warrants for a residence and shop building at 11622 Road 11 SW. On the morning of March 30 INET detectives, Grant County Sheriff’s deputies and Royal City Police officers served the warrants and discovered an elaborate, illegal marijuana grow operation in the shop building.

“Citizen tips work,” Jones said. “We want to encourage residents to continue their vigilance in helping area law enforcement get and keep these operations out of our communities.”

Nearly 100 marijuana plants, in various stages of development, were seized from the property. Detectives spent several hours dismantling and seizing the equipment used for the grow operation.

The search of the residence yielded additional marijuana plants and packaged harvested product, as well as chemicals and equipment used for growing the plants, Jones said.

The homeowner, Stephen M. Brown, (age 27), was arrested for manufacturing marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver/distribute. Additional charges may be filed on his live-in girlfriend.

A Washington State Patrol (WSP) Bomb Technician was called to the residence after suspected illegal explosives were discovered in a safe. WSP took custody of the explosives and will transfer them to the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) for disposal. WSP and ATF will determine if additional charges will be filed.