273 marijuana plants seized from Spokane Valley rental

by KREM.com

KREM.com

Posted on February 26, 2014 at 3:32 PM

SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. Authorities seized 273 marijuana plants late Tuesday evening at a home near Valleyway Avenue and North Conklin Road. Deputies with the Spokane County Sheriffs Office said the rental home had been converted into a marijuana grow operation.

The wiring and ventilation in the home had been altered to accommodate commercial grow equipment according to authorities. Deputies stated that there were signs of mold growth and other issues in the home associated with long-term indoor grow operations.

Cole Brown, 21, was arrested and booked for manufacturing a controlled substance. Deputies said they plan to make more arrests in the case.

Authorities began watching the house after receiving complaints from neighbors.

Neighbors told investigators that there was suspicious activity at the home. They claimed the renters actually lived down the street in a different house. All of the windows were blacked out and vehicles only parked behind the house according to their complaint.

Investigators witnessed vehicles frequenting the house. The majority of the vehicles had Idaho plates according to deputies.

On Tuesday, deputies stopped Brown and a woman leaving the house. Deputies described both suspects smelling of marijuana. However, the suspects claimed no knowledge of a marijuana grow at the house. They did admit to be staying off and on at the Conklin address and also living in Coeur d Alene. Neither claimed to use or grow marijuana for medicinal reasons according to authorities.

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273 marijuana plants seized from Spokane Valley rental