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Breaking news: Underground marijuana growing operation shut down in Rochester

This news story was updated at 10:45 a.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Centralia police last night went to the residence of the man arrested at Hub City Natural Medicine and found marijuana growing in his home and inside two motor homes as well as an underground growing operation.

Officers seized about 164 plants of all different sizes from the property at the 18400 block of Leon Road Southwest in Rochester, according to the Centralia Police Department.

“The shed had a wooden floor with a hatch that led to an underground room dug out under the shed and the house,” police Sgt. Jim Shannon said this morning.

The approximately 10-foot by 12-foot room was wired for power and lights with reflective material covering the walls, he said.

Daniel J. Mack, 39, of Rochester, was arrested Wednesday evening when police shut down a storefront in downtown Centralia they say was operating as a medical marijuana dispensary. Mack identified himself as volunteer dispensary worker, but police consider him one of three owners of the business.

The Centralia Police Department’s Anti-Crime Unit, along with other officers and sheriff’s deputies served their search warrant about 6 p.m. last night at Mack’s home in Rochester.

Nobody was arrested there. A 14-year-old was the only person present, Shannon said. He is being cared for by neighbors, according to Shannon.

The search warrant was obtained in connection with the investigation that led to Wednesday night’s raid at Hub City Natural Medicine on the 100 block of South Tower Avenue. There, police confiscated dried marijuana in large mason jars, various baked goods, candies and refrigerated items suspected of containing marijuana, as well the businesses’ computers.

Shannon said Mack admitted to bringing product from his residence to the store to distribute.

Further arrests are expected, as there are other growers, other customers and other sellers, Shannon said.