Officers Shut Down Second Marijuana-Growing Operation

Police have shut down an even bigger marijuana-growing operation just across the road from one they raided last November in central Pend Oreille County.

Sheriff Doug Malby said 560 plants were seized Wednesday at the home of Doyle D. Rucker, 53, and his wife, Sharon, 52.

Their horse ranch is just north of Cusick across state Highway 20 from the home of Jack and Margaret Clayburn, where officers found about 300 pot plants last November. Officers lacked sufficient evidence at the time to raid both indoor growing operations, Malby said.

In both cases, federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents obtained search warrants in federal court in Spokane. Members of the Spokane Regional Drug Task Force helped DEA and Pend Oreille County officers execute the Rucker warrant.

“We’ve been working on this one probably for five years, just trying to get enough evidence to get in the door,” Malby said. “One of the alleged growers advised us that they’ve been at it for over 10 years.”

He said the drug raid unexpectedly turned into a domestic violence case, and Doyle Rucker was arrested on a charge of fourth-degree assault.

“She looked like she had been abused when we went to talk to her, and then she started in about being assaulted the previous night,” Malby said.

The sheriff said he anticipates drug charges will be filed against the couple in federal court.

Federal officials still have not filed charges against the Clayburns but have moved to seize their 116-acre farm.

Malby said authorities will find out how much equity the Ruckers have before deciding whether it is worthwhile to launch a forfeiture action against their property.

, DataTimes