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Marijuana growing op is found inside chicken coop/underground bunker
Published: Sun, December 13, 2009 @ 12:00 a.m
JOHNSTON — Authorities discovered an underground bunker for growing marijuana and recovered more than $22,000 cash after serving a search warrant at 3598 Irishtown-Southworth Road in northern Trumbull County.
The Trumbull Ashtabula Group law-enforcement task force got the warrant Friday after a one-week investigation into the cultivation and distribution of marijuana. Complaints indicated youths were receiving the drug in northern Trumbull County communities.
When investigators arrived at the residence of Jesse and Erin Rabich, age 34 and 36, they discovered the area of the suspected growing/drying operation had been cleaned. They said it appeared the Rabichs were tipped to the investigation.
Both refused to cooperate with investigators, even when small amounts of marijuana where discovered on the floor of the barn, the task force wrote in a news release.
TAG requested assistance from the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office and its police dog after searching the property on foot. The dog’s search took investigators to the area of the chicken coop on the property, which caused them to look deeper in the area. Inside the chicken coop was discovered an underground block bunker approximately 12 feet by 12 feet. The entrance to the bunker was covered with a board, and on top of the board was a plastic bin.
The Johnston Township Fire Department provided assistance with lights and an all-terrain vehicle. It also assisted with the use of a thermal-image device.
The bunker had been designed for the cultivation of marijuana with an interior wall made of wood, insulation and mylar, according to TAG. Waterlines and electric lines also were running to this underground facility.
Although no potted or hydroponic plants were found, investigators did find three large bags with marijuana plants, multiple marijuana buds on a screening system, a clear plastic bag with processed marijuana, marijuana seeds and residue on the floor. Also discovered inside the bunker was growing equipment including lighting systems, ballasts and bulbs along with fertilizer, pots and other items used in marijuana cultivation. Also discovered inside several green plastic bins stacked upon one another was a white plastic bag containing approximately $22,000.
Inside the residence, investigators also removed and seized approximately $477, three firearms and a gun barrel.
After the discovery of the marijuana, the Rabichs were taken to the Trumbull County jail, where they will be held until their arraignment Monday in court on felony drug-trafficking and cultivation charges.
Published: Sun, December 13, 2009 @ 12:00 a.m
JOHNSTON — Authorities discovered an underground bunker for growing marijuana and recovered more than $22,000 cash after serving a search warrant at 3598 Irishtown-Southworth Road in northern Trumbull County.
The Trumbull Ashtabula Group law-enforcement task force got the warrant Friday after a one-week investigation into the cultivation and distribution of marijuana. Complaints indicated youths were receiving the drug in northern Trumbull County communities.
When investigators arrived at the residence of Jesse and Erin Rabich, age 34 and 36, they discovered the area of the suspected growing/drying operation had been cleaned. They said it appeared the Rabichs were tipped to the investigation.
Both refused to cooperate with investigators, even when small amounts of marijuana where discovered on the floor of the barn, the task force wrote in a news release.
TAG requested assistance from the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office and its police dog after searching the property on foot. The dog’s search took investigators to the area of the chicken coop on the property, which caused them to look deeper in the area. Inside the chicken coop was discovered an underground block bunker approximately 12 feet by 12 feet. The entrance to the bunker was covered with a board, and on top of the board was a plastic bin.
The Johnston Township Fire Department provided assistance with lights and an all-terrain vehicle. It also assisted with the use of a thermal-image device.
The bunker had been designed for the cultivation of marijuana with an interior wall made of wood, insulation and mylar, according to TAG. Waterlines and electric lines also were running to this underground facility.
Although no potted or hydroponic plants were found, investigators did find three large bags with marijuana plants, multiple marijuana buds on a screening system, a clear plastic bag with processed marijuana, marijuana seeds and residue on the floor. Also discovered inside the bunker was growing equipment including lighting systems, ballasts and bulbs along with fertilizer, pots and other items used in marijuana cultivation. Also discovered inside several green plastic bins stacked upon one another was a white plastic bag containing approximately $22,000.
Inside the residence, investigators also removed and seized approximately $477, three firearms and a gun barrel.
After the discovery of the marijuana, the Rabichs were taken to the Trumbull County jail, where they will be held until their arraignment Monday in court on felony drug-trafficking and cultivation charges.
