Over 150 Juveniles A Day Spotted Going Into Drug House Before Bust, Police Say

Authorities in Washington say they have shut down a drug distribution house that allegedly saw more than 150 juveniles visit on a school day.

The Lacey Police Department said five arrests have been made in a joint operation with the Thurston County Sheriff Narcotics Task Force and the Olympia Police Department following a monthslong investigation into a drug distribution operation targeting juveniles as young as 13 years old.

Investigators developed evidence indicating a group was selling drugs including cannabis and vape products to children from a residence in Lacey. During surveillance operations, detectives “documented more than 150 juveniles entering the residence on an average school day.”

On Feb. 11, a search warrant was executed at the residence on the 4000 block of College Street SE and authorities seized cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, psilocybin “candy bars,” around 500 cannabis-related items “packaged and marketed in a manner consistent with youth targeting,” scales and other items related to distribution, more than $26,000 cash in mostly small bills, and multiple firearms.

Police did not immediately identify the suspects or their charges, and said the investigation remains ongoing.

“Drug trafficking operations involving underage buyers have led to several tragic, high profile homicides over the years,” police said. “Disrupting these operations by making arrests and seizing assets remains a viable path forward to ensure our children are not needlessly caught in the middle of drug rip robbery homicides that are common at these types of residences.”