Published March 22 2016
At approximately 5:22 a.m. on Monday, Bellevue firefighters responded to a report of an electrical meter on fire at a residence in the 14200 block of Southeast 38th Street in Bellevue. Firefighters entered the residence and removed the one occupant from inside the home.
The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes. Once inside the residence, firefighters discovered a large, illicit marijuana grow operation. Investigators from Bellevue Police responded and launched an investigation. A search warrant for the residence was obtained, and investigators removed approximately 775 marijuana plants from the residence.
Police arrested the 22 year-old occupant for investigation of violation of the uniform controlled substances act. The suspect was interviewed and released pending charges.
Investigators learned that the suspect had no valid medical permit for the grow operation, and he was not a licensed marijuana grower or processor under Washington law.
Police Chief Steve Mylett stated: "This fire is a perfect example of why industrial marijuana grow operations do not belong in residential neighborhoods. This suspect chose to ignore Washington's laws when he allegedly operated an unregulated and untaxed marijuana grow operation in his home. He chose to endanger not only his own safety, but that of his neighbors in his quest to avoid the regulatory system that is in place in this state. My officers are committed to holding those that try to skirt the law in this way accountable for their actions."