Sheriff's department discovers grow operation
On Monday the Boone County Sheriff’s department served a search warrant and searched a local duplex and found a “significant and sophisticated” marijuana growing operation.
According to a news release put by the Sheriff’s department, the duplex at 1928 Old Plank Drive had one-half of the residence converted into a house devoted to growing the illegal drug.
The house, which lies south of Columbia, was searched due to citizen complaints. Officers found 228 live marijuana plants along with 1,200 square feet of house modified to growing the plants.
The growing operation included modifications such as extensive electrical re-wiring, grow lamps, timers, water systems, air filters and ventilation, the news release stated.
No one was living in the half of the residence devoted towards growing but the other side of the duplex was occupied. According to the news release, an operation of this size and sophistication is capable of producing marijuana with a street value worth hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
There have been no arrests made in the case yet.