Arrest leads law enforcement to drug crop

RITZVILLE - An arrest led to the discovery of approximately 300 marijuana plants near Ritzville Saturday morning.

Domingo Castillo, 40, Ritzville, was arrested for trespassing and possession of marijuana after a group of people hunting east of Rehn Road near Ritzville noticed the suspect, Adams County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Doug Barger said.

The group of people hunting in the area had permission from the property owner. The property owner advised the suspect was not supposed to be there, Barger said.

When deputies located Castillo, nearly 60 pounds of marijuana was reportedly found in his possession, the sheriff said. Law enforcement decided to check the area for a possible marijuana crop because the confiscated marijuana was freshly harvested, he said.

A Washington State Patrol aircraft unit located a marijuana crop near Cow Creek, close to where Castillo was arrested, Barger said. The patrol guided law enforcement and a sheriff's posse through the area to the marijuana.

Approximately 300 adult marijuana plants were reportedly located. Samples of the plants were extracted and the plants will be harvested and destroyed by law enforcement, Barger said.

A handgun was recovered along with a rifle. Barger said Castillo was in alleged possession of the handgun and the rifle was reportedly found at his nearby campsite, Barger said.