Liberty police uncover suspected marijuana-growing operation

LIBERTY — Police plan to file charges against two men accused of growing marijuana in the basement of a Belmont Avenue business.

A police report states officers responded to the 3100 block of Belmont Avenue due to a complaint of people growing marijuana indoors. Officers met with the building's owner who said two men – one 21 from Niles and the other 24 from Youngstown – rented the property for their business.

The owner gave officers permission to search the basement, a police report states, and officers found suspected marijuana, along with additives for growing marijuana and equipment, including a watering system and grow lights.

When police met with the tenants, they reported the Youngstown man said he bought equipment online and began to grow his own marijuana about six weeks ago to manage pain from injuries he sustained while serving in the Marines.

Officers say they plan to charge the men with cultivating marijuana and possession of criminal tools at a later date, the police report states.