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A Castleton man is set to be arraigned today on charges of growing marijuana behind his camp on a hillside in Benson.
Joseph J. Covell, 43, faces felony charges of marijuana possession and cultivation. The charges stem from an incident in late August.
Vermont State Police said a "concerned citizen" reported Aug. 26 discovering several marijuana plants growing inside five-gallon buckets on a hillside off Turkey Farm Road in Benson.
The caller reported exactly where the plants were located and said the land was not posted, a State Police affidavit filed in the case stated. Police said they went to investigate and found about 15 marijuana plants growing in buckets off a well-maintained trail.
"The (buckets) were camouflaged with paint to help conceal them," the affidavit stated.
Police said they drove to a nearby camp and met with Covell, the camp's owner. Police said they told him they found marijuana plants growing behind the camp and he initially said they did not belong to him.
Police said he later admitted he had around 18 to 20 plants growing. Police said Covell also gave them permission to search the inside of the camp, and police said they found marijuana drying on a piece of plywood up in the roof rafters, as well as brown paper bag with marijuana under a bed.
Covell then led police back to the plants growing on the property, and police said they took photographs of the plants.
"During this time, (Covell) told us he moves the plants around to avoid someone finding them," the police affidavit stated. Police said they found a total of 22 marijuana plants growing in five-gallon buckets.
Police have said in the past that a fully grown marijuana plant is valued at between $1,500 and $2,000, meaning that the 22 plants were worth between $33,000 and $44,000.
Police said they also weighed the seized marijuana found inside the camp. Police said that marijuana, including a small brown evidence bag, weighed 155.3 grams, or about one-third of a pound.
Police said Covell has three previous convictions for marijuana possession. The latest felony charges carry a maximum penalty of up to eight years in jail.
The alleged marijuana growing operation in Benson is the latest cases involving pot cultivation filed in court this year.
In September, Vermont State Police said they seized 28 marijuana plants valued at up to $56,000 growing in Mount Holly. In August, a Fair Haven man was charged with growing six marijuana plants in his apartment.
Also, a Killington man was arrested in April after authorities found 40 marijuana plants growing in his apartment.
All of those cases remain pending in Rutland District Court.
Newshawk: user - <A HREF="420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking">420 Magazine</A>
Source: Rutland Herald
Pubdate: 6 November 2006
Author: Alan J. Keays
Copyright: 2006 Rutland Herald
Contact: alan.keays@rutlandherald.com
Website: Rutland Herald: Rutland Vermont News & Information
Joseph J. Covell, 43, faces felony charges of marijuana possession and cultivation. The charges stem from an incident in late August.
Vermont State Police said a "concerned citizen" reported Aug. 26 discovering several marijuana plants growing inside five-gallon buckets on a hillside off Turkey Farm Road in Benson.
The caller reported exactly where the plants were located and said the land was not posted, a State Police affidavit filed in the case stated. Police said they went to investigate and found about 15 marijuana plants growing in buckets off a well-maintained trail.
"The (buckets) were camouflaged with paint to help conceal them," the affidavit stated.
Police said they drove to a nearby camp and met with Covell, the camp's owner. Police said they told him they found marijuana plants growing behind the camp and he initially said they did not belong to him.
Police said he later admitted he had around 18 to 20 plants growing. Police said Covell also gave them permission to search the inside of the camp, and police said they found marijuana drying on a piece of plywood up in the roof rafters, as well as brown paper bag with marijuana under a bed.
Covell then led police back to the plants growing on the property, and police said they took photographs of the plants.
"During this time, (Covell) told us he moves the plants around to avoid someone finding them," the police affidavit stated. Police said they found a total of 22 marijuana plants growing in five-gallon buckets.
Police have said in the past that a fully grown marijuana plant is valued at between $1,500 and $2,000, meaning that the 22 plants were worth between $33,000 and $44,000.
Police said they also weighed the seized marijuana found inside the camp. Police said that marijuana, including a small brown evidence bag, weighed 155.3 grams, or about one-third of a pound.
Police said Covell has three previous convictions for marijuana possession. The latest felony charges carry a maximum penalty of up to eight years in jail.
The alleged marijuana growing operation in Benson is the latest cases involving pot cultivation filed in court this year.
In September, Vermont State Police said they seized 28 marijuana plants valued at up to $56,000 growing in Mount Holly. In August, a Fair Haven man was charged with growing six marijuana plants in his apartment.
Also, a Killington man was arrested in April after authorities found 40 marijuana plants growing in his apartment.
All of those cases remain pending in Rutland District Court.
Newshawk: user - <A HREF="420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking">420 Magazine</A>
Source: Rutland Herald
Pubdate: 6 November 2006
Author: Alan J. Keays
Copyright: 2006 Rutland Herald
Contact: alan.keays@rutlandherald.com
Website: Rutland Herald: Rutland Vermont News & Information
