West Richland neighborhood wakes up early to FBI task force searching home

An FBI search woke up a quiet residential neighborhood in West Richland on Thursday morning.

Details are sparse about what brought the FBI Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force to the 4400 block of Northlake Drive about 6 a.m.

The federal SWAT team used flash-bang devices and hailing to attempt to get the attention of the people inside, said West Richland Commander Athena Clark.

The FBI team entered the house and detained some people inside.

At this point, it’s unclear how many people were detained, if anyone was arrested or if evidence was seized. The FBI hasn’t said what they were looking for inside the home.

West Richland police said no one was hurt.

Northlake Drive between Bombing Range Road and 38th Avenue was closed while the search was going on.

The Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force has made several drug arrests in the Tri-Cities.

A bust in December resulted in the seizure of more than 100,000 fentanyl-laced pills and more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

They also found more than 20 guns, cocaine and more than $15,000 in cash, along with several money counters.