Police in Washington have shut down a house in Lacey that was allegedly being used to sell drugs to minors. Authorities say more than 150 juveniles were seen visiting the home on an average school day.
The case has shocked the local community, especially after officials revealed that children as young as 13 were reportedly involved.
Five Arrested After Month-Long Investigation
The Lacey Police Department confirmed that five people have been arrested. The action was part of a joint operation involving the Thurston County Sheriff Narcotics Task Force and the Olympia Police Department.
Officers had been investigating the suspected drug distribution operation for several months. During that time, detectives gathered evidence suggesting that a group was selling cannabis and vape products directly to minors from a residence in Lacey.
According to police, surveillance teams documented more than 150 juveniles entering the house during a typical school day. This raised serious concerns about the safety of young people in the area.
Search Warrant Leads to Major Seizure
On February 11, officers carried out a search warrant at a home located in the 4000 block of College Street SE. During the raid, authorities seized a large amount of illegal items.
Items recovered from the house included:
- Cocaine
- Psilocybin mushrooms
- Psilocybin “candy bars”
- Around 500 cannabis-related products packaged in a way that appeared to target youth
- Scales and other tools linked to drug distribution
- More than $26,000 in cash, mostly in small bills
- Multiple firearms
Police believe the packaging and marketing style of some products were designed to appeal to teenagers.
Investigation Still Ongoing
Authorities have not yet released the names of the suspects or detailed the exact charges they are facing. The investigation is still active, and more information may be shared in the coming days.
Police officials also warned that drug houses involving underage buyers have been linked to serious and sometimes deadly crimes in the past. They said such locations often become hotspots for robbery and violence.
By shutting down this operation and making arrests, law enforcement agencies say they are taking strong steps to protect children from dangerous situations.
Officials stressed that preventing young people from being caught up in drug-related crimes remains a top priority. Community members are encouraged to report suspicious activity to help keep neighbourhoods safe.
