Couple learns from Seattle police guns, heroin being sold out of their basement

A Magnolia couple has learned the hard way that it’s a good idea to keep an eye on their kids – even if they’re grown up – after learning their 26-year-old son was selling guns and heroin out of the basement of their Magnolia home.

Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Seattle Police Department SWAT officers raided their home overlooking the Interbay Golf Couse Tuesday.

Seattle police say they received a tip over the weekend that the son, who lives with his parents, and his 34-year-old friend – who also lives in the house – had built up an arsenal of assault weapons, shotguns, body armor and homemade silencers in the basement of the house in the 2800 block of 25th Avenue W.

Investigators contacted the suspects, who offered to sell a MP5 submachine gun to a police informant.

Police purchased several grams of heroin and what they believed was a MP5 submachine gun Monday. They subsequently discovered it was actually a .22 rifle made to look like a more powerful and expensive MP5.

Officials served a warrant on the home Tuesday and arrested the 34-year-old man for being a felon in possession of firearms. The son was interviewed and released while the investigation continues, police said.

Investigators recovered nine rifles and three handguns from the home, along with ammunition, body armor and a small quantity of heroin. They also recovered Seattle Police Department patches and a Pacific, WA. officer’s badge, along with two suspected homemade explosive devices.

Police say the suspect’s parents had no idea the men were selling guns and drugs out of their home.