Tips and neighbor complaints sparked the investigation, according to Montgomery County sheriff's Maj. David Hale. Turber — a first-time offender — was the sole focus of the investigation, Hale said.
Turber is accused of growing marijuana plants in his basement. Authorities seized 55 plants and $1,200 in cash.
“A mature plant can yield about $1,000 in street value of marijuana,” Hale said of the plants, which were grown hydroponically. “I’d say there’s possibly $55,000 worth of marijuana here.”
Next-door neighbor Toni Craig said the situation came as a shock. About 15 members of the task force served the warrant, and the first step in the process was setting up a perimeter around the residence.
“I come downstairs to let my dogs out and there’s an officer in my driveway with a drawn gun,” she said. “I’m going, 'Well, this is an interesting development.’ ”
Hale called the seizure a “medium to small” incident. The marijuana will be weighed at the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory. Authorities then will consult the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office to pursue formal charges against Turber.
On Saturday, Trotwood police confiscated roughly 600 marijuana plants after searching a home in the 700 block of Olive Road. The discovery was made after officers were dispatched to the address on a breaking and entering report. The house was unoccupied. As of Monday afternoon, no arrests had been made stemming from that operation, according to police Trotwood Capt. John Porter.
On May 30, Dayton police arrested 32-year-old Clifford Lee Lewis stemming from a suspected grow operation in the basement of his residence on McReynolds Street.
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