5 arrested in Lacey drug bust targeting children as young as 13
Feb 13, 2026, 7:13 AM
A photo of the drug paraphernalia, guns, and cash seized in a multi-agency drug bust. (Photo courtesy of Lacey Police Department)
(Photo courtesy of Lacey Police Department)
Five people have been arrested in Lacey after multiple law enforcement agencies thwarted an armed drug trafficking operation that targeted children as young as 13, the Lacey Police Department confirmed.
The arrests came after the Thurston County Sheriff Narcotics Task Force, the Lacey Police Department, and the Olympia Police Department formed a joint investigation into the armed drug trafficking operation.
“Evidence developed during the investigation indicates the group was distributing controlled substances, cannabis, and vape products to children as young as 13 years old in Lacey,” the Lacey Police Department stated.
While conducting surveillance, Thurston County detectives observed a pattern in which a high volume of juveniles entered a residence in the 4000 block of College Street S.E. Detectives documented more than 150 juveniles entering the residence on an average school day, finding this pattern consistent with suspected drug distribution activity.
The investigation lasted several months until the departments served a search warrant for the residence. During the search, detectives seized cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, psilocybin “candy bars,” approximately 500 cannabis-related items packaged and marketed in a manner consistent with youth targeting, scales and additional distribution-related items, more than $26,000 in cash, and multiple firearms, including an AR-style pistol.
Detectives and law enforcement officers additionally found evidence of distribution for the aforementioned controlled substances.
“The investigation remains active. LPD, TNT, and our partners are committed to disrupting drug trafficking organizations that endanger community safety — particularly those involving the distribution of controlled substances to minors with the presence of firearms,” the Lacey Police Department stated. “Drug trafficking operations involving underage buyers have led to several tragic, high-profile homicides over the years. Disrupting these operations by making arrests and seizing assets remains a viable path forward to ensure our children are not needlessly caught in the middle of drug rip robbery homicides that are common at these types of residences.”
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