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203 marijuana plants seized at Auburndale Avenue home
YOUNGSTOWN
A South Side couple soon may face felony drug charges after authorities discovered an elaborate marijuana-growing operation in their home’s basement.
The couple, who live at 165 E. Auburndale Ave., have not been charged officially. Maj. Michael Fonda of the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department said charges will be filed after the marijuana has been dried and weighed to determine the exact amount.
Members of the Mahoning County Drug Task Force seized 203 suspected marijuana plants from the home Friday. Fonda suspected the street value may go to $150,000.
“The whole basement was just loaded,” Fonda said. “This was an elaborate, high-tech system.”
According to Fonda, the female resident of the house has joint custody of her two children who visit in the summer from Virginia. The children were set to come to Youngstown for their summer visitation, but mentioned to their father in Virginia that they are not allowed in the basement because they are allergic to the plants kept down there.
Fonda said the father asked Virginia children’s services officials to investigate and they contacted Mahoning County Children Services officials in Youngstown.
Officers went to the address to inquire about the allegation and were told that there were “small plants in the basement for personal use.” What officers found in the basement was an extensive growing operation.
The basement contained suspected marijuana plants of varying sizes on stands with grow lights above. There was an air conditioner for cooling and a ventilation system.
Fonda said the street value of the drugs ranged between $500 per plant and $1,000 per plant.
Fonda said the confiscated plants will not put a major dent in the local marijuana trade, but it will send a clear message that law enforcement is out there looking to catch those who engage in illegal drug activity.
“[Drug trafficking] is such a big problem, and all this money in the drug trade is huge, but law enforcement is alive and well and cracking down on this stuff. We have to put a dent in it,” Fonda said.
All plants and items involved in the growing operation have been seized and kept as evidence. Charges for cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana are pending against the man who owns and lives in the home, Fonda added. There also may be possible charges pending against the woman.