ROCK ISLAND - A tip led to the confiscation of about $468,000 worth of marijuana from a grow between Rock Island and Rock Island Dam on July 1.
     Starting at 7 a.m., the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team executed a series of search warrants that resulted in two arrests and seizure of 231 marijuana plants.
     Also seized with three warrants were bags of harvested marijuana, $4,152 in cash, drug paraphernalia, 47 firearms including assault-style rifles, ammunition, night vision optics and seven various vehicles, the sheriff’s office said.
     Detectives conducted surveillance and established probable cause after the Columbia River Drug Task Force received a tip of a grow in a building near the old Rock Island Scale House, the sheriff’s office said.
     Two East Wenatchee suspects were arrested and booked on suspicion of unlawful manufacture of marijuana with intent to distribute.
     A search by the sheriff's office tactical team found 182 plans in the building, along with firearms, the sheriff’s office said.
     Two additional search warrants were written to search the suspects’ homes. Those warrants produced 49 additional plans.
     Goats found at the Rock Island scene were turned over to the Human Society. Deputies allegedly saw a goat being beaten by one of the suspects.


- Prepared by Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle staff