"Deputies, WestNET detectives bust pot operation"

"Deputies with the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office and detectives with the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team busted a marijuana grow operation near Port Orchard Feb. 23, finding hundreds of marijuana plants and growing equipment and putting two men in jail.Detectives and deputies served a search warrant at a residence on Puget Drive SE in unincorporated Kitsap County following a tip from local residents. Police recovered from the home halide light systems, scales and more than 440 plants, a street value of which they estimated at $440,000. The house was apparently used predominantly to grow marijuana, with plants filling both the upstairs and downstairs.Deputies and detectives arrested a 28-year-old man who was inside the home near a loaded, semi-automatic pistol. With the help of the Seattle Police Department, deputies and detectives later arrested the other 26-year-old man involved in the grow operation.Both men were arrested for manufacturing marijuana and booked at the Kitsap County Jail, each on $100,000 bail.The bust was the second of the week for deputies and West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team detectives.On Feb. 20, detective, deputies, the Bremerton Police Department's Special Operations Group and the Poulsbo Police Department served a search warrant at a Bremerton residence, where they discovered halide light systems, equipment associated with marijuana grow operations and more than 740 marijuana plants, with an estimated street value of $740,000.A 44-year-old man and a 39-year-old man were arrested for manufacturing marijuana and booked at the Kitsap County Jail on $50,000 bail each.Bail was set higher for the men involved in the Port Orchard marijuana growing operation because they apparently had few ties to the community and, in fact, hailed from Indiana.In addition, the presence of the loaded weapon served as an enhancement to the charge.Concerned citizens with information about narcotics activity, drug dealing or marijuana grow operations can anonymously call WestNET at 337-7064. Callers from Olalla or Mason County can call 1-800-585-TIPS (8744).In addition, the state operates a 24-hour hotline for citizens to confidentially report marijuana growing activity. The toll free number is 1-800-388-GROW (4769), and there could be a reward of up to $5,000. "

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