Birch Bay couple charged with possessing more than 1,000 illegal pot plants

Steve and Starlare Hovander of Birch Bay were charged with possession of illegal marijuana plants on January 7. Whatcom County Sheriff's deputies seized more than 600 plants after being alerted to a strong pot smell coming from Hovander Farms at 3591 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. This is in addition to the nearly 500 plants a drug task force seized from the property late last year.

The Hovanders have a pending application for a business called Serene Greens, but it has yet to be approved by the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

The Hovanders are currently out on a $7,500 bond. They have been charged with three felonies: two counts of illegal manufacturing of marijuana with intent to distribute and one count of illegal use of a building for drug purposes.

Check back for developments as they arise.