Skagit County approves sale of forfeited Mount Vernon property seized in drug investigation

Skagit County commissioners on Aug. 12 approved a resolution to sell a Mount Vernon residence at 4812 Monte Vista Place that the sheriff’s office seized following a drug‑task‑force investigation.

Fred Hayes of the Skagit County Prosecutor’s Office explained the property was seized through civil forfeiture after investigators found the home was being used as an illegal cannabis grow operation. Hayes said the house had been modified for growing, including plywood over interior surfaces and added HVAC equipment. Under a settlement in the criminal matter, the property became county-held surplus and the sheriff’s office, which has no operational use for the residence, is seeking to sell it so proceeds can support the drug‑task unit and return the house to the housing market.

The county set a minimum public-auction bid of $350,000 and plans to conduct the sale through online bidding. Hayes and staff said the process follows surplus‑property procedures used by the county and noted that, unlike movable assets, real property is most easily converted to cash via auction so proceeds can be distributed among entitled agencies.

During the public hearing there were no in‑person or online speakers offering comment. Commissioners moved to close the hearing and then to approve the resolution to sell the property; the motion carried 2 to 0. The meeting minutes state the clerk’s office will handle execution of the resolution and distribution of proceeds.

The prosecutor’s office noted that forfeiture proceeds had already been apportioned among several accounts and agencies in prior settlements; the sale will convert the real property to cash for final distribution under the county’s forfeiture procedures.

No purchaser was identified at the meeting; staff said the auction will be posted online and handled as a county surplus sale with public notice.