Washington County deputies seize ninety-seven marijuana plants.

Ninety-seven marijuana plants in various stages of growth and over six pounds of marijuana were seized early yesterday evening following the execution of a search warrant at 1495 Clark Road, Cutler. An investigation conducted by Agents of the Major Crimes Task Force indicated the owner of the property was operating an indoor marijuana grow facility. The man was previously convicted in federal court of distribution of marijuana and cocaine and served a prison term of five years.

Inside the home Agents located an elaborate grow operation in an upstairs room that included duct work, grow lights, grow beds, water pumps and numerous plant growth chemicals. Agents also noticed a downstairs room that appeared to be used as a drying room for harvested marijuana. The ninety-seven marijuana plants were found outside the home along a well used trail and were in containers similar to those in the upstairs grow room.

At the conclusion of the search warrant the man was arrested on a second degree felony charge of illegal cultivation of marijuana in the vicinity of a juvenile, a second degree felony charge of assembly of assembly of items to cultivate marijuana and a fifth degree felony charge of possession of criminal tools. He remains incarcerated in the Washington County Jail without bond pending his initial court appearance this afternoon.

The Major Crimes Task Force is a multi-faceted organization composed of representatives from the Marietta and Belpre Police Departments; the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification, the Morgan County Prosecuting Attorney and Sheriff’s Offices and the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney and Sheriff’s Offices.