Drug bust in Odessa last week

Last Thursday evening, October 15, Odessa residents living on or near First Avenue or driving through town were startled by the sudden appearance of numerous law enforcement vehicles with lights flashing converging on the parking lot of Washington Federal Bank at the corner of First Avenue and Alder Street. A man was taken into custody as he approached the ATM machine at that bank.

Odessa police chief Helen Coubra told The Record that officers arrested Thomas A. Harris of Odessa on charges of violating the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. He is accused of selling marijuana without a retailer’s license issued by the state of Washington. In a joint investigation between the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Odessa police, law enforcement began looking into the suspect’s activities in September.

Officers also seized 34 marijuana plants and various packaging materials from the suspect’s home.

According to the law enacted recently by the state legislature, the personal use of marijuana is legal in Washington state. Individuals 21 years of age or older are legally authorized to possess and use the following: One ounce of usable marijuana, seven grams of marijuana concentrate/extract for inhalation, 16 ounces of marijuana-infused product in solid form, 72 ounces of marijuana-infused product in liquid form and marijuana-related drug paraphernalia.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board notes that individuals will still be subject to criminal prosecution for possession in amounts greater than those listed above or possession of any quantity or kind of marijuana/marijuana-infused product by a person under 21 years of age.

Lincoln County Undersheriff Kelly Watkins said that bail had been set for the accused at $20,000, although when he appeared in court Tuesday, his bail was reduced to $5,000. As of Wednesday, he remained in the county jail. He was also appointed a lawyer by the court.

Tips from the public led to the investigation, Watkins said, adding that law enforcement is always grateful for information from citizens on possible criminal activity.