Police say they confiscated 1,649 marijuana plants from illegal grows at 2 Bellevue houses

BELLEVUE – Bellevue police detectives said they served search warrants at two homes and confiscated 1,649 illegal marijuana plans last Wednesday.

Police said both homes had been “heavily modified” for the sole purpose of growing marijuana.

A 53-year-old Bellevue man was interviewed and released pending charges filed with the King County prosecutor’s office.

According to a news release, police are particularly concerned with illegal grow operations in residential areas because most homes’ electrical infrastructures aren’t capable of supporting the excess power that’s required, increasing the risk of fire.

Both homes are located less than a block from elementary schools: Phantom Lake and Eastgate.