Eastside Narcotics Task Force seizes 31 pounds of marijuana

The Eastside Narcotics Task Force, which includes a Redmond Police detective, seized 31 pounds of marijuana, $2,700 and a sports utility vehicle, in a large drug bust on I-405 in Kirkland last week.

Byron Gilbert Pickle, a 68-year-old California resident, was arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana near midnight last Thursday, Oct. 29. Pickle is facing charges of felony possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, according to a Washington State Patrol press release.

At 11:31 p.m., Washington State Patrol (WSP) communications received a report of an erratically driven Ford Excursion on northbound I-5 near Tukwila.

King County troopers stopped the vehicle on I-405 in Kirkland for "equipment and driving violations," according to the WSP press release. When questioning Pickle, the trooper "could smell an overwhelming odor of marijuana and observed several indicators of marijuana impairment on the driver," the press release said.

The trooper arrested Pickle for driving under the influence, searched his car and found 31 pounds of marijuana, packaged in several one-gallon clear plastic Ziplock bags, sitting in the back seat of his vehicle. The trooper also found more than $2,700 rolled up in $20 bills in Pickle's pants pockets.

The Eastside Narcotics Task Force, which consists of State Troopers, King County Sheriff's Deputies and officers from Redmond, Bellevue and Mercer Island police departments, seized the cash, drugs and vehicle.

Jim Bove, spokesperson for the Redmond Police Department, confirmed that a Redmond Police Detective did help with the seizure.

"He did respond along with a few other agencies where he processed evidence," Bove said. "Needless to say that was a huge bust."