Lewis County PUD Crew Stumbles Upon Illegal Marijuana Grow

Lewis County Public Utility District employees unwittingly discovered an illegal marijuana grow Tuesday when they visited a home to shut off its power. 

Seattle resident Biniam Y. Gebremariem, 31, was arrested Tuesday and charged Wednesday in Lewis County Superior Court with manufacture of marijuana and with maintaining a premises for the purpose of using controlled substance after being found in the home with hundreds of marijuana plants, according to court documents. 

Gebremariem was granted $10,000 unsecured bail. His next court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3. 

At 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, deputies from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 700 block of Lincoln Creek Road in Centralia at the request of PUD employees. 

The PUD crew went to the property, which included greenhouses and a detached shop, to disconnect the power for nonpayment. The crew, however, noticed that power lines had been diverted and called the Sheriff’s Office. 

Deputies arrived and noticed an “overwhelming odor of marijuana,” according to the Sheriff’s Office. 

Investigators, including the county’s Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, obtained a search warrant for the property and reported finding 182 marijuana plants in the house and 38 inside the garage, according to court documents. Some plants were potted, and others were hanging to dry. The home had little furniture, leading investigators to believe its sole purpose was for the growing of marijuana, according to court documents. 

Investigators reported finding a total of 309 plants. 

Gebremariem, who was at the house when deputies arrived, told them he didn’t live there but was there to “clean up,” according to court documents. 

Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher said investigators believe he was a caretaker for the operation.

Investigators also seized cash, a vehicle and a handgun, according to the Sheriff’s Office.