The Washington State Patrol's Cannabis Enforcement Response Team (CERT), alongside WSP SWAT, recently unveiled a troubling find in the cities of Bonney Lake and Orting. Last Wednesday, a search led to the discovery of illegal cannabis grow operations and also unearthed a stash of potentially hazardous, illegally imported pesticides adorned with Mandarin characters. The substances raised alarms given their similarity to toxic pesticides that have previously surfaced across the country.
Illegal cannabis sites are hardly breaking news, but the chemicals in question here escalate the seriousness of the find. Investigators were concerned about the pesticides because, as reported in the WSP's official release, "Many of these pesticides are highly toxic, damage the environment, and can be fatal to humans and animals when they come into direct contact. Any cannabis treated with these pesticides would be harmful if consumed or ingested." This incident marked the first documentation of such pesticides in Washington State, adding another concern to the local enforcement agencies.
As a measure of precaution, due to the unknown chemical makeup of these substances, WSP SWAT decided the risks were too great for personnel to persist in processing the sites. Hence, HAZMAT teams were brought in to dismantle and dispose of both cannabis operations safely. The tally of destruction included approximately 4,000 cannabis plants between the two locations.
Following the operation, two individuals were taken into custody. Zeng, Weimin, 45, and Bai, Xingbo, 46, both from Seattle, now face charges under RCW 69.50.401 for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has since deemed both properties as "Contaminated Properties," underscoring a grim reality beyond immediate arrests and the seizing of illegal products.
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