A tip the King County Sheriff’s Office received about an illegal marijuana grow in the city of Newcastle led to a five-month investigation, resulting in the seizure of more than 6,000 marijuana plants, 180 pounds of processed marijuana and $3 million in cash.

Police received the tip last March, which led investigators to a house in the 8600 block of 118th Ave. SE in Newcastle, and resulted in the discovery of dozens of large-scale residential marijuana grow operations throughout King County.

Last week detectives from the King County Sheriff’s Office served search warrants on 27 locations in King County. Five people were arrested for multiple charges including the manufacturing of marijuana. Sheriff’s Office detectives also seized five houses that they believe were purchased with the proceeds from marijuana sales.

A photo of some of the cash seized at the illegal marijuana grow operation. Photo courtesy of the King County Sheriff’s Office