First, she discovered the break-in. That was bad enough.
Then, while checking the other impounded vehicles located around the Centralia yard, the Grant’s Towing employee opened the door of a Mercedes SUV and discovered something equally unexpected: three black 40-gallon bags of marijuana.
She didn’t have to open the bags to know. The smell was that strong.
The employee told the Washington State Patrol, who let one of its troopers know. The trooper had pulled the Mercedes over the day before, on Nov. 16, for allegedly “violating an emergency or work zone,” according to court documents.
The trooper identified the driver as 66-year-old Shizheng Li from Oregon. Li had an active Department of Corrections (DOC) warrant. The trooper arrested Li.
When he learned of the suspected marijuana inside the impounded Mercedes on Nov. 17, the trooper requested and obtained a search warrant.
He and other troopers searched the Mercedes. They found the bags. They opened them.
The employee’s suspicions were confirmed. Marijuana filled the bags.
According to court documents, the troopers allegedly found a digital scale next to the bags. They discovered plant trimmers, a paper with phone numbers, and a notebook.
The troopers completed their search and left the warrant receipt on the dashboard.
Together, the bags reportedly weighed 63 pounds.
According to court documents, at the time of his arrest, Li was on active community supervision with the DOC after being convicted of conspiracy to commit possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in Clark County in April 2022.
The substance? Marijuana.
On Nov. 18, Li was charged with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver marijuana and escape from community custody. Both are considered Class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
The description of events leading to Li’s arrest and charging is based on the probable cause affidavit filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office. They are merely allegations at this point.
In the affidavit, the scale found in the Mercedes is first referred to as a “digital scale.” An “analog scale” is later referenced. It is unclear whether these are the same scales or different scales.
During the preliminary hearing, Deputy Prosecutor Brandi Archer asked for a bail amount of $100,000, citing the “significant quantity” of alleged marijuana found in Li’s possession, along with his “apparent lack of ties to the community.”
Archer said the Oregon ID Li provided before his arrest was not a driver’s license, and noted the similar conviction out of Clark County in 2022. She indicated Li had allegedly never checked in with the DOC on the matter.
The prosecutor said the state had concerns about Li’s potential failure to appear at future court dates and had no confidence Li would follow the court’s directions.
Archer indicated the DOC would most likely take Li to Clark County if he were released.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller argued for bail of no more than $25,000, saying she wasn’t aware of any other criminal history other than what Archer had mentioned.
Tiller also cited the existing DOC hold.
Judge Paul Strophy ordered bail of $15,000 cash or bond, subject to standard conditions of release, with the exception that Li was permitted to travel within Western Oregon in addition to Western Washington. Any other travel would require the court’s permission.
As is typical in most preliminary hearings in Lewis County Superior Court, Li appeared via a web video from the Lewis County Jail. At the beginning of the hearing, speaking through his Cantonese interpreter, Li told the court, “I didn’t manufacture marijuana.”
Li, represented by attorney Chris Baum, pleaded not guilty during an arraignment on Nov. 20. A trial is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026.
