Two illegal marijuana grow operations in Washington state have been shut down after state troopers uncovered what they believe are highly toxic, possibly imported pesticides. The busts, carried out in Bonney Lake and Orting by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and its Cannabis Enforcement Response Team (CERT), are now raising concerns about the safety of unregulated cannabis and public exposure to banned agricultural chemicals.
The raids followed an investigation into a suspected marijuana trafficking ring. According to officials, the search turned up pesticide containers with labels written in Mandarin—similar to chemicals seized in other states that have been found to be fatal to both humans and animals. These substances, if used on cannabis plants, could pose serious health risks to consumers.
The operation marks the first time such toxic pesticides have been found in marijuana grow sites in Washington state. The chemicals were considered so hazardous that the WSP’s SWAT team refused to handle the scene further without professional support. Specialized hazardous materials (HAZMAT) teams were brought in to dismantle the grow operations safely.
Roughly 4,000 marijuana plants were destroyed, and both properties were declared contaminated by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Two Seattle residents in their 40s were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities are now warning the public about the risks associated with illegally grown cannabis—not just in terms of legality but potential chemical contamination as well.
