Pot, gun, cash found at Lacey hotel

Lacey police recovered 5 pounds of marijuana, a loaded gun and a large amount of cash early Wednesday morning while investigating suspicious circumstances at a Lacey hotel.

Officers responded to the Days Inn at 8200 Quinault Dr. NE after someone reported a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot, said Sgt. Terence Brimmer. Police talked to hotel employees, who directed them to the room they believed was associated with the vehicle.

The room smelled strongly of marijuana. The room’s occupants allowed police to conduct a search, but they were unable to find any marijuana, Brimmer said.

Officers were able to obtain a search warrant for the vehicle, where they found the 5 pounds of marijuana, a gun and cash. Under Washington state law, people may only possesses up to 1 ounce of marijuana at a time. While police were searching the vehicle, the room’s occupants fled the scene.

Police believe the vehicle may have been used for trafficking drugs, Brimmer said.

The room’s occupants have not been located.

This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 11:58 AM with the headline "Pot, gun, cash found at Lacey hotel."