Search of suspected drug dealer’s home turns up several firearms, 3D printer gun parts

Whatcom County authorities who conducted a recent search of a suspected drug dealer’s home discovered a collection of firearms and several handgun parts that were created using a 3D printer.

Deputies approached Austin Grimme, 34, of Bellingham on May 13 at the city’s Cornwall Park.

Deb Slater with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said Grimme admitted to police that he was in possession of drugs, and when another vehicle drove into the parking lot, Grimme told police the occupants were there to buy drugs from him.

Deputies found around 3 ounces of fentanyl in Grimme’s car, and acquired a search warrant for his home on Park Drive in Bellingham, where they found the weapons, according to Slater.

Detectives found three complete firearms without serial numbers; six handgun lowers (the lower part of a firearm) without serial numbers; a handgun silencer; a number of firearm magazines of varying capacity; hundreds of rounds of ammunition; handgun parts and a 3D printer that police suspect was used to create the lowers for the firearms, Slater said.

Firearm serial numbers provide a means of identification for law enforcement and owners to track the weapon in the event of theft or other criminal activity. It is illegal to remove the serial numbers on firearms or to possess a firearm without a serial number under Revised Code of Washington 9.41.140.

Grimme is a seven-time convicted felon with four pending felony charges, according to Slater. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to deliver, three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree and manufacture of undetectable firearms.

Grimme remains in custody at Whatcom County Jail with bail set at $150,000.