Pubdate: Tue, 02 Mar 2004
Source: Daily Hampshire Gazette (MA)
Page: B-1
Copyright: 2004 Daily Hampshire Gazette
Contact:  http://www.gazettenet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/106
Author: Scott Merzbach, Staff Writer
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our editors 
may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who have not been 
convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise public figures or 
officials.

SHUTESBURY RAID BRINGS CHARGES

SHUTESBURY -- Two Shutesbury residents have been arrested on charges 
relating to a marijuana-growing room in the cellar of their home, police say.

[name deleted], 26, and [name deleted], 30, both of [address deleted], were 
arrested Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at their home on charges of possession of 
marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, said 
Shutesbury officer Thomas Burger.

Both were released on $1,000 cash bail from Orange District Court.

Burger said Monday that the department responded to an adjoining residence 
for a routine call when the illegal substances were located.

Burger, along with Sgt. Gary Thomann, Amherst police officers and the 
Hampshire/Franklin Drugs Narcotics Task Force, subsequently conducted a 
search warrant and confiscated between 15 and 20 pounds of marijuana, more 
than $500 in cash, three dozen marijuana pipes and other narcotics, Burger 
said.

These additional narcotics have been sent to a lab to be tested to 
determine if more charges will be filed, Burger said.

In the basement police said they discovered what they called an elaborate 
growing operation with air movers, timers, ultraviolet lights, 
carbon-dioxide infusers and temperature controllers. Valued at thousands of 
dollars, these items were all confiscated.

"An entire room in the house was dedicated to the cultivation of marijuana, 
" Burger said.

Police were on the scene until about 9 p.m.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake