A routine welfare check at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Tacoma, Washington, has turned into a major drug bust. Deputies from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene on Sunday, September 1, after receiving reports of a man slumped over in his vehicle near the 11000 block of Portland Avenue East.
When deputies arrived around 8:30 p.m., they discovered a 39-year-old man in the driver’s seat with a white powdery substance and drug equipment visible inside the car. He was immediately taken into custody on suspicion of DUI and drug-related offenses. Deputies also found over $3,000 in cash on him.
Search Warrant Uncovers Weapons and Drugs
The vehicle was secured overnight while investigators obtained a search warrant. On Monday, September 2, deputies searched the car and found a significant arsenal and a large amount of drugs, including:
Two loaded pistols
A 3D-printed AR-style rifle with a suppressor
Ammunition
Additional cash
Drug paraphernalia
929 grams of cocaine
1,331 grams of methamphetamine
Multiple bags of fentanyl pills
Other controlled substances
Major Hit to Local Drug Distribution
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, this bust represents a major disruption to drug distribution networks in the area. “This was a large amount of drugs taken off our streets as we continue the battle of fighting our drug epidemic,” the office said in a public statement.
The sheer volume of narcotics and weaponry found suggests the suspect may have been heavily involved in local drug trafficking operations.
Suspect Faces Multiple Charges
The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, is facing several felony charges, including:
Possession with intent to distribute narcotics
Unlawful possession of firearms
Possession of a suppressor
DUI
Authorities confirmed that the case is still under active investigation, and additional charges may be added as the case develops.
