911 call leads to pot luck

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, May 10, 2006

wo deputies responding to a 911 hang-up call discovered a $90,000 marijuana growing operation on North Whidbey last Tuesday, according to the Island County Sheriff’s Office.

Commander Mike Beech said 43-year-old Daniel Hassler turned himself in last Thursday and was booked on suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance.

Deputies Chris Garden and Lane Campbell went to a Green Road home to investigate the 911 hang-up at about 8 p.m. May 2. They knew that a domestic assault had been reported at the home previously.

The search warrant states that the deputies knocked on the doors and walked around the outside of the house, but couldn’t find anyone. They eventually decided to go into the unlocked house.

“The deputies stated that based on the recent report of domestic violence, they were concerned that there may be a crime in progress,” Beech wrote in the search warrant.

The deputies saw broken glass on the floor, a smashed picture frame, as well as a rifle and a handgun on the couch. They searched the house and couldn’t ind anyone, but they did discover a hydroponic marijuana growing operation in the basement, with grow lights and an intricate ventilation system.

“It was pretty sophisticated,” Beech said.

After getting a search warrant, the deputies seized 90 marijuana plants in various stages of development. Beech said the estimated street value is $1,000 per plant. They also seized several rifles and a handgun.

Beech said deputies are also investigating a possible assault in the house.