City of Everett condemns pot grow, converted boat house

EVERETT — A complaint over an unsanctioned building led to the city condemning a marijuana-growing operation and a derelict boat house west of Highway 529 near Everett’s northern border.

After discovering hazardous wiring, the city of Everett deemed the two buildings along with a storage shed were unfit for occupancy and ordered them to be vacated until brought to compliance.

On April 3, the city inspected the three buildings at Seacrest Marina near Union Slough. Code enforcement officers found all “contained unapproved electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems,” and were built without city permits, according to public records obtained by The Daily Herald.

In March, Teri Dunten took full ownership of the 2.3-acre property from her son, James Wilson. Wilson had owned the land since 2008, and in 2012 Dunten became a co-owner, according to property records. Wilson manages the site, documents show.

At the time of the inspection, only one of the buildings was in use. It contained a marijuana operation run by Cascade Herbals. The company did have a valid license from the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board. It lacked a business license from the city of Everett.

Darren Luciana, the CEO of Cascade Herbals, was told to cease operations until the proper paperwork was obtained.

State regulators have issued Cascade Herbals multiple warnings for failures to adequately track products and maintain the required security system.

The city gave Luciana until May 7 to vacate the property.

Of the other two buildings being condemned, one was being used to store tools and boating equipment. The second was a run-down boathouse, which had been altered for use on land with added walls and a floor.

The city believes two of the structures were built or placed at Seacrest Marina around 1986, with the third appearing in late 2016 or early 2017.

Code enforcement officers determined building codes were not followed when the electrical wiring was installed. Findings included an uncovered electrical panel, extension cords and power strips used in place of approved wiring and numerous uncapped wires. Officers also found a sink not connected to the sewer, instead emptying into a bucket.

Wilson and Dunten did not return phone messages. Luciana, through a spokeswomen, declined to comment.

In an internal city email, an Everett code enforcement officer wrote that Luciana, the owner of Cascade Herbals, “became very insulting and threatened a lawsuit” after being informed of the condemnation.

The following weekend, the officer reported that Luciana and the business web page for Cascade Herbals liked a photo on his personal Facebook page.

“Not sure where or why they are sharing my Facebook photo — but I do not appreciate it,” the officer said.

Lizz Giordano: 425-374-4165; egiordano@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @lizzgior.