Three Washougal men arrested for allegedly growing marijuana in Toutle

Three Washougal men were arrested Wednesday after aerial surveillance by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force found an alleged illegal marijuana grow in Toutle.

Task force agents reported finding 30 plants growing near Hansen Road while flying in the area in late July.

Wednesday, agents served a search warrant on the property and checked a minivan that arrived with four people, including Donald Charles Dillon, 55; and Zachary Kenyon Merryfield and Vincent Juliano Carera, both 20.

They said the property owner had hired them to maintain the plants and property, according to court documents. They did not have medical marijuana cards, but Dillon told police he believed the landowner did.

The three were booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on suspicion of manufacturing marijuana. Dillon was also booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Police said they found several firearms at the site. No information was available about the fourth person in the van.