Teens nabbed with beer, marijuana and fireworks

Published 1:18 pm Thursday, December 11, 2008

Four Federal Way teens on their way to an apparent rip-roaring good time in the mountains had their plans unceremoniously scrapped by law enforcement authorities Thursday.

The early-evening incident began when a motorist called police on a cellular phone, reporting a car headed into Enumclaw was being driven erratically. The driver had passed other vehicles on the right and, at one point, a beer bottle was tossed from the moving car.

After Enumclaw police stopped the car at a mini-mart along state Route 410, the Washington State Patrol was called to take over. WSP Trooper Cliff Pratt said there were four 16-year-old boys in the car who claimed they were headed for a camping trip near Greenwater.

Aside from finding 69 still-cold beers in the vehicle, there also was a strong smell of marijuana, Pratt reported. A State Patrol K-9 unit was called to the scene and the drug-sniffing dog found about 30 grams of marijuana. The vehicle search also turned up illegal fireworks.

All four teens were charged with being minors in possession of alcohol, possession of a controlled substance and possession of illegal fireworks. Pratt said the teen behind the wheel could also be facing reckless driving charges, but that decision was on hold until a witness could be interviewed.

The vehicle was impounded and the four teens were invited to cool their heels at the Enumclaw police station until their parents arrived.