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In July 2000, the L.E.A.D. Narcotics Task Force in Yakima County co-sponsored a
Marijuana Spotter school with the Washington National Guard and the Washington State
Patrol. Twenty students from various law enforcement agencies across the state (learning
navigation and marijuana spotting techniques) boarded National Guard helicopters and
navigated to 14 different marijuana grow sites. This resulted in the class members
eradicating approximately 297 marijuana plants.
In August 2000, the DEA Tacoma Regional Task Force made a purchase of Methamphetamine
that led to the discovery of a major clandestine meth Lab site in Eatonville. In total,
2.6 kilograms of meth were seized, along with equipment and precursors (including Red
Phosphorous) to make the meth. There was a huge waste site that was turned over to the
Dept. of Ecology. Eight suspects were arrested and $46,000 was seized.
In September 2000, the DEA Tacoma Regional Task Force seized 18 pounds of meth from a
hidden compartment in a car, as well as chemicals from a clan lab organization. Elements
of the operation were located in both Pierce and Grays Harbor counties. Three vehicles and
$68,000 were also seized.
In September 2000, the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force completed an investigation
of a major cocaine dealer from Seattle. The suspect was arrested in a reverse sting when
he showed with $40,000 in cash to buy 5 kilos of cocaine from an undercover officer. Three
vehicles were also seized.
In this quarter, the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force responded to two clandestine
lab sites where phosphine gas had been detected. Inhalation exposure to phosphine gas can
have acute (such as dizziness, nausea, tremors) and chronic (such as gastrointestinal,
cardio-respiratory and central nervous system) effects on humans.
In August and September 2000, the Transportation Group of the HIDTA Integrated Task
Force had three separate cases where suspects used private mail box companies to ship
drugs. In one case over 5 kilograms of cocaine being shipped to Washington, D.C. was
seized. In another case, 32 liquid ounces of PCP was shipped from a mail box company in
California. The case resulted in two arrests, seizure of a quarter ounce of crack and
$2,000 in cash. In a third case, there were two arrests, with $15,000 in cash and 16.6
grams of marijuana seized. The suspects in this case used the mail box firms to ship their
money to California to purchase drugs and to ship the drugs back to Seattle.
In September 2000, the Transportation Group also responded to some hazardous chemicals
leaking in the baggage compartment of an aircraft at Seatac Airport. The owner of the
chemicals said they were purchased in Oregon for the purpose of producing meth.
Inside this issue:
Message from the Director
Prevention / Treatment
Initiatives by Steve Freng
WSP Canine Activity Report by
Jerry Adams
Watch Center byJon Thorpe
Future Training
Other HIDTA
Newsletters
Watch Center’s phone: 1.888.388.DRUG (3784)
Meth Tip Line: 1.888.609.METH (6384)
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