A caravan of Seattle Police Department SWAT officers and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms surprised a Magnolia couple at their home overlooking the Interbay Golf Course Tuesday morning with the news that their live-in 26-year-old son and his 34-year-old friend had been selling heroin and guns out of their basement.
On Saturday, Seattle police received a tip that the 26-year-old man, who lives with his parents, and his friend—who also lives at the house—had amassed an arsenal of assault weapons, shotguns, body armor, and homemade silencers in the basement of the home in the 2800 block of 25th Avenue W.
SPD Narcotics detectives and federal officials were able to contact the suspects, who offered to sell a MP5 submachine gun—typically used by police SWAT teams—to a police informant.
On Monday, police purchased several grams of heroin and what they believed was an MP5 submachine gun. However, after police examined the weapon, they discovered it was actually a .22 rifle decked out to look like a much more expensive and powerful MP5.
SPD detectives and SWAT, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms served a warrant at the home Tuesday and arrested the son’s 34-year-old friend for being a felon in possession of firearms. The 26-year-old son was interviewed and released at the scene as police continue their investigation. The suspect’s parents, who also live in the home, were apparently unaware the men were selling guns out of the home.
Police recovered three handguns and nine rifles at the home, along with body armor, ammunition, a small quantity of heroin, Seattle Police Department patches and a Pacific, WA officer’s badge and two suspected homemade explosive devices. Law enforcement officials are still investigating where the men acquired the guns.
