Pierce County, Wash. – On May 14, 2025, the WSP Cannabis Enforcement Response Team (CERT) and WSP Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) served search warrants in the cities of Bonney Lake and Orting. The warrants were issued after a lengthy investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) that manufactured illicit cannabis.
During the on-scene investigation, detectives discovered what are believed to be illegally imported toxic pesticides with Mandarin characters on the packaging. The packaging was consistent with law enforcement warnings of similar substances found across the country. Many of these pesticides are highly toxic, damage the environment, and can be fatal to humans and animals when they come into direct contact. Any cannabis treated with these pesticides would be harmful if consumed or ingested. These findings were especially concerning as no previously documented cases of similar pesticides have been found in Washington State.
Due to limited information on the exact chemical makeup of these pesticides, WSP SWAT determined that the risk to personnel outweighed the necessity to continue processing the grow sites. As a result, HAZMAT crews responded to break down and eradicate both illicit cannabis sites. Approximately 4,000 cannabis plants were seized and destroyed from the two locations. Both properties have been classified as “Contaminated Properties” by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Both properties have been classified as “Contaminated Properties” by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
The operation resulted in the arrests of the following individuals:
• Zeng, Weimin, 45, Seattle RCW 69.50.401 – Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent • Bai, Xingbo, 46, Seattle RCW 69.50.401 – Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent
There is no further information at this time as the investigation is ongoing.
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