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On Thursday, police raided an alleged marijuana-growing operation in Leesburg. This is the second eradication effort undertaken by authorities within the past 10 days.
The Thursday incident resulted from a tip that there was a large indoor marijuana-growing operation at 304 S. Main St., Leesburg. Upon investigation, police reportedly found several marijuana plants in various stages of growth. The plants ranged in size from young plants 12 to 16 inches tall to mature plants 4 to 5 feet tall.
According to a press release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, the owner of the residence from which the plants were confiscated is Tony Slick Baker. Baker, 43, is charged with cultivation of and possession of marijuana, police said, and warrants will be issued for her arrest. Additional arrests are expected to result from this case.
Police also destroyed several marijuana plants Aug. 8 after an Indiana State Police helicopter spotted the plants growing on a parcel of land off CR 1050N.
At that location, police found three cultivated marijuana plants and noted that there was a path leading to a nearby residence, where some of the same articles that the marijuana was growing in were found outside.
A search warrant was obtained and executed, but no other plants were discovered. This case is still under investigation.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine said both of the cases came about from tips given by "caring citizens."
"With this kind of cooperation between the community and the police, we can all decrease the narcotic and drug problem within our community," Rovenstine said.
Anyone with information regarding the cultivation of marijuana or the dealing or manufacturing of narcotics is encouraged to call the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force at 267-5667 or Indiana State Police at 269-4747.
