Published: November 19, 2009 12:19 pm      

WEB FIRST: Search warrants yield 704 marijuana plants

Police say plants valued at $700,000

ROCHESTER — A six-week drug investigation has led police to more than 700 marijuana plants valued at about $700,000.

On Wednesday morning, Indiana State Police, along with multiple other police agencies, simultaneously raided two homes owned by 44-year-old Daniel R. Nells.

The search warrant executed at a residence at 10525E 50N near Knox in Starke County reportedly resulted in officers finding handguns, an undetermined amount of U.S. currency, less than 30 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

A search of a residence on South 225W near Rochester reportedly turned up an active indoor marijuana grow operation containing 704 marijuana plants in various stages of growth.

Officers reportedly also found growing equipment worth about $10,000 and drug paraphernalia. The home appeared to be unoccupied and used exclusively to grow marijuana, say police.

Nells was reportedly staying in a camper on the property. He was taken into custody and incarcerated at the Fulton County Jail with a bond of $7,500.

Nells faces class D felony charges for possession of marijuana over 30 grams, dealing marijuana over 30 grams and maintaining a common nuisance. He is also charged with a misdemeanor count for possessing drug paraphernalia.

So far, Nells faces criminal charges only in Fulton County. A report will be forwarded to the Starke County prosecutor’s office asking that charges be filed for the items allegedly found at his Knox home.

The marijuana plants have an approximate street value of $700,000, according to police.

The Miami County Drug Task Force, the Rochester Police Department and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the investigation.