'Green Reaper' strikes again, busting illegal pot growers
KENT, Wash. -- The "Green Reaper" has struck again, hitting several suspected indoor marijuana growers. Federal agents and local police arrested 20 suspects and confiscated more than 4,000 plants.
The attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 caused the U.S. to tighten the borders. That has caused the British Columbian pot growers to move their operations here to Washington so they don't get caught transporting marijuana through the border.
Wednesday, the Drug Enforcement Agency struck back.
Neighbors can't believe the huge indoor marijuana growing operations going on right under their noses.
In Kent, the garage door that was never opened hid what agents believe was part of the marijuana growing ring.
In Federal Way, agents moved in and pulled scores of marijuana growing lights and reflectors.
It was all part of a coordinated effort where they swooped down on 13 locations throughout King County.
"It's incredible and to think it's in our neighborhood," said Neighbor Diana Syth. "We have a lot of little kids here now, so it's kind of scary."
This is the second raid on the marijuana growers. Last April, agents confiscated hundreds of plants and zeroed in on garden supply companies that were allegedly helping the growers to set up their home-grown businesses.
These indoor marijuana businesses had been flourishing in B.C., but the tightened border following 9-11 forced the operations to come here forcing the DEA to send a message.
"I was very happy to find out that they are doing that and that they are cleaning up and it's good to see that that's actually happening," Syth said.
But they're still stunned that this was happening right in front of them behind closed doors, and behind suspects who kept strictly to themselves.
Here's their finally tally from today's raids: 20 arrests, 4,578 plants, $50,000 cash, 3 weapons and 20 vehicles seized.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) David Dongilli released this statement: "It is important for the public to know how dangerous indoor marijuana cultivation is to our community. These drug trafficking organizations are concealing their illegal activities in the very heart of many of our neighborhoods.
“Drug traffickers are buying or leasing suburban homes and illegally modifying them, usually with jury-rigged electrical wiring and extensive internal irrigation systems, and utilizing substantial amounts of toxic chemicals and fertilizers (which are ultimately either dumped or wind up as byproducts in the municipal sewer and water systems) in order to grow their marijuana."
ASAC Dongilli further stated, "These homes are more readily prone to fires and the mold contamination produced from the cultivation process poses significant health and safety concerns to the community. The unfortunate end result is that these drug dealers collect huge illicit profits and our community banks and other mortgage holders are left with virtually uninhabitable and foreclosed homes."
The attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 caused the U.S. to tighten the borders. That has caused the British Columbian pot growers to move their operations here to Washington so they don't get caught transporting marijuana through the border.
Wednesday, the Drug Enforcement Agency struck back.
Neighbors can't believe the huge indoor marijuana growing operations going on right under their noses.
In Kent, the garage door that was never opened hid what agents believe was part of the marijuana growing ring.
In Federal Way, agents moved in and pulled scores of marijuana growing lights and reflectors.
It was all part of a coordinated effort where they swooped down on 13 locations throughout King County.
"It's incredible and to think it's in our neighborhood," said Neighbor Diana Syth. "We have a lot of little kids here now, so it's kind of scary."
This is the second raid on the marijuana growers. Last April, agents confiscated hundreds of plants and zeroed in on garden supply companies that were allegedly helping the growers to set up their home-grown businesses.
These indoor marijuana businesses had been flourishing in B.C., but the tightened border following 9-11 forced the operations to come here forcing the DEA to send a message.
"I was very happy to find out that they are doing that and that they are cleaning up and it's good to see that that's actually happening," Syth said.
But they're still stunned that this was happening right in front of them behind closed doors, and behind suspects who kept strictly to themselves.
Here's their finally tally from today's raids: 20 arrests, 4,578 plants, $50,000 cash, 3 weapons and 20 vehicles seized.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) David Dongilli released this statement: "It is important for the public to know how dangerous indoor marijuana cultivation is to our community. These drug trafficking organizations are concealing their illegal activities in the very heart of many of our neighborhoods.
“Drug traffickers are buying or leasing suburban homes and illegally modifying them, usually with jury-rigged electrical wiring and extensive internal irrigation systems, and utilizing substantial amounts of toxic chemicals and fertilizers (which are ultimately either dumped or wind up as byproducts in the municipal sewer and water systems) in order to grow their marijuana."
ASAC Dongilli further stated, "These homes are more readily prone to fires and the mold contamination produced from the cultivation process poses significant health and safety concerns to the community. The unfortunate end result is that these drug dealers collect huge illicit profits and our community banks and other mortgage holders are left with virtually uninhabitable and foreclosed homes."