Marijuana grow raids reap bountiful harvest

MAT-SU -- Members of the Mat-Su Drug Team recently completed four raids of marijuana growing operations in the Valley, confiscating more than 280 plants.

The first two busts occurred on Thursday, Oct. 17. Investigators seized 88 marijuana plants from a Houston residence in one of the raids, along with guns, processed marijuana, growing equipment, vehicles and $7,500 in cash. No arrests were made, but four felony charges for fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance (MICS) will be forwarded to the district attorney's office, according to a press release.

Also on Oct. 17, investigators served a search warrant at another Houston residence, seizing 91 marijuana plants, guns, processed marijuana, growing equipment and drug paraphernalia. Charges of fourth-degree MICS will also be forwarded in that case, according to the release.

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, investigators found a commercial marijuana growing operation at a Wasilla residence consisting of 91 plants, growing equipment and supplies. Investigators then served a second search warrant at the home of the owner of the residential property, resulting in the seizure of processed marijuana, weapons and cash.

Charges of fourth-degree MICS against a 29-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man, related to the Tuesday raid in Wasilla, are being forwarded to the DA's office.

The last raid in the series was also conducted on Tuesday when a search warrant was served at a Palmer residence. Investigators seized what was described as a small, but productive growing operation consisting of 14 large marijuana plants, along with processed marijuana, growing equipment and paraphernalia. Charges were forwarded to the DA's office in that case as well.

Fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance is a Class C felony, which carries a maximum jail sentence for the first felony conviction of five years and a maximum fine of $50,000.

The Mat-Su Narcotics Unit is comprised of investigators from the Alaska State Troopers Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit, Wasilla Police Department and the Palmer Police Department.

Anyone with information concerning illegal drug activity in the Mat-Su area is encouraged to contact Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333. Callers do not need to leave their name.