Posted: 1/11/06
Police raid high-tech marijuana growing operation
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Cliff Buchan
News Editor
As drug-producing operations are concerned, a facility raided by police in Forest Lake last weekend was a highly technical one that impressed authorities.
When police raided a suspected marijuana growing operation on 202nd St. N. on Saturday, they found a greenhouse-like facility tucked away in the basement level of a home.
ěThis was the most technical operation Iíve ever seen,î said Chief of Police Clark Quiring.
The home at 9797 N. 202nd St. contained a full mechanized growing system for watering, lighting and fertilizing. The climate controlled 1000 square foot growing area maintained a temperature of 75 degrees, the chief said.
Nursery stock was also found.
But no more following the police raid on Jan. 7. Nearly a dozen officers were on the scene removing the plants.
3 men in jail
Three men are in jail and more than 650 marijuana plants were removed. The drugs carried street value estimated at near $500,000, Quiring said.
Officers also seized the home and personal property.
With search warrant in hand, police raided the operation shortly after noon on Saturday. The raid came in partnership with the Washington County Narcotics Task Force and information supplied by the Minneapolis Police Department.
Police arrested three men on felony first degree controlled substance charges. They are: ďJohn Gregory Payton, 36, Woodbury. ďAntonio Ray Okeefe, 38, Coon Rapids. ďEmmanuel Pierre Margreth, 37, Coon Rapids. They were booked and held in the Washington County Jail.
Police said it is likely the operation was part of a metro area drug-selling ring. The investigation is continuing and will also explore other connections for possible criminal charges, Quiring said.
The chief said the drug bust was directly tied to Forest Lakeís decision to become a joint powers member of the county narcotics task force. Forest Lake police are supplying manpower to assist the task force on an ongoing basis.
ěWe were able to work this case much harder,î Quiring said. The operation has been under investigation since October, the chief said.
Police in Woodbury executed a search warrant at Paytonís residence where support documentation was found, Quiring said.
The chief said the Forest Lake home on 202nd St. has been owned by Payton since last July. Police have seized the home, three vehicles, a water bike and a motorcycle. The inventory includes a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS.
Forest Lake Times
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