‘The largest we’ve had’: Tacoma police make record-breaking narcotics seizure

The Tacoma Police Department’s (TPD) Special Investigations Unit has made a record-breaking narcotics seizure.

Police seized more than 90 pounds of drugs as part of an ongoing investigation into a narcotics trafficker, according to a news release from TPD.

The trafficker traveled from California to Washington. Officers were able to intercept the operation in Lewis County, taking a man into custody.

Tacoma police seize 89 pounds of crystal meth

During the bust, police seized 89 pounds of crystal methamphetamine—the largest seizure in the unit’s history. The previous record of 83 pounds was set last year, TPD noted.

“They located 89 pounds of crystal meth, which for the Tacoma Police Department is the largest that we’ve had,” TPD spokesperson Shelbie Boyd said.

Search warrants on multiple storage units led to the recovery of 410 grams of cocaine, 166 grams of fentanyl powder, 33.5 grams of heroin, and one firearm.

“That’s a lot of drugs that aren’t getting into the hands of our children, that aren’t getting into the hands of people who are struggling with addiction. So, it’s huge,” Boyd said.

The man was arrested for alleged unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

This story was originally published on October 1, 2025. It has been updated and republished since then.

Contributing: James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio

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