Last week, the Tacoma Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), in coordination with Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) investigators, concluded a long-term investigation into an illegal cannabis grow and distribution operation.
The investigation revealed that a local cannabis company, The Kukuia Company LLC (doing business as Feel Budder), was diverting and selling significant quantities of cannabis off the record into the black market. This discovery led to the execution of multiple search warrants at a 17,000-square-foot warehouse and a residence.
These warrants were carried out with the assistance of Washington State LCB Enforcement Unit officers, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Special Investigations Unit, and the Tacoma Police Hazardous Environments and Tactics Team.
As a result of this operation, law enforcement seized:
- 7,789 marijuana plants
- Multiple pounds of manufactured cannabis product
- Three vehicles
- One handgun
- An undisclosed amount of U.S. currency
The licensee was arrested and has been charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver and Unlawful Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance in coordination with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office. The Tacoma Police Department extends its gratitude to our local, county, and state partners for their collaboration in this multi-agency operation.
The LCB also said, based on the seriousness of the violations the it found, that the continued operation of the licensed business to be a direct and immediate threat to public health and safety. It approved an emergency suspension of the license, which will remain suspended for a period of 180 days during which the LCB will seek permanent revocation.
