Firefighters find suspected marijuana crop

STAFF REPORT

STRUTHERS — Between 300 and 400 suspected marijuana plants were found by Struthers firefighters when they responded to a fire at 1:40 p.m. Wednesday in a home at 38 W. Washington St.

The fire, confined to the chimney of a lighted wood-burning stove in the living room of the home, was minor, but Struthers police Detective Raymond Greenwood said the suspected marijuana-growing operation was substantial.

He said Thursday that officials were still trying to determine the street value of the illegal drug plants. The Mahoning County Drug Task Force is participating in the investigation.

Greenwood said the name of the owner of the house was not being released pending further investigation. A possible charge against the person growing the suspected drug plants is the illegal cultivation or manufacture of drugs, according to the police report.

After extinguishing the fire in the chimney, firefighters found the plants in a second-story bedroom while checking the rest of the house for possible fire. The crop was seized by Struthers police.