Man Admits To Allegan County Pot Growing Operation

[bobandtorey]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) – One of two men linked to elaborate marijuana grow operations in Allegan and Van Buren counties pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy that put more than 220 pounds of marijuana on the streets.

Josue Salazar appeared in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids Friday where he admitted to growing marijuana since 2011. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine when he returns for sentencing in March.

Co-defendant Ernest Rafael Arias was indicted last week for conspiring to grow marijuana. His case has been set for trial. Grow operations linked to the pair yielded between 220 and 799 pounds of marijuana, court records show.

The investigation got underway in April when the West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET) received a tip about marijuana being grown in a home on M-40 in Allegan County.

When officers went there, they detected a strong scent of marijuana while standing at the front door. Utility records showed electrical use at the home was abnormally high, a criminal complaint says.

Officers returned in June and three men, including Salazar, ran from the house into nearby woods. Salazar was arrested after a brief chase.

Arias was nabbed when he slipped and fell. Police got a search warrant and entered the home where they found an "elaborate, multi-room marijuana grow operation,'' court records show.

WEMET officers seized 227 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, 40 pounds of processed marijuana, grow lights, fans, timers and an irrigation system. Officers also found calendars going back to 2011 with detailed information about the marijuana grow.

Police found inside a truck an electrical bill in Salazar's name for a house in Van Buren County. A search of that house found a marijuana grow operation similar to the Allegan County site.

 

http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/2015/11/13/marijuana-bust/75731706/

[t-pain]

smelled weed in april, came back 2 months later? that story smells a bit.

[Highlander]

The cops may have been hoping to catch the guys with a big outdoor harvest.

[ozzrokk]

The cops may have been hoping to catch the guys with a big outdoor harvest.

 

 

Sounds like exactly what they were hoping for..............