A Belle Plaine man arrested Monday after authorities busted an alleged pot-growing operation at his home was charged Wednesday with felony counts of manufacture and delivery of marijuana and maintaining a drug trafficking place.
Kent B. Mitchell, 33, was ordered held on a $10,000 bond after a hearing Wednesday before Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge William Kussel Jr.. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on the charges Monday.
Shawano County sheriff’s detectives had gotten several reports that Mitchell was growing marijuana on his property, according to the criminal complaint, and was selling the marijuana for profit and trading it for heroin.
County authorities, along with the state Division of Criminal Investigation, executed a search warrant at his residence Monday evening and found what the Sheriff’s Department called an advanced drug manufacturing operation.
A total of 345 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were seized, according to the complaint.
A concealed trap door led authorities down a stairwell where they found two basement rooms being used to grow marijuana, the complaint alleges. Authorities also found grow lights, water tanks and other equipment allegedly used in the operation.
A drying chamber was also found in the upstairs of the house, according to the complaint.
Sheriff’s officials donned hazardous materials masks to collect the marijuana due to the odor and the presence of mold in the house where Mitchell lives with his 6-year-old son, according to the complaint.
Authorities also found drug paraphernalia and guns on the premises, the complaint states. Parts of marijuana plants in various stages of processing were found in other parts of the house.
Mitchell could face a maximum 15 years in prison and a $50,000 fine if found guilty of manufacture and delivery of marijuana, and 3½ years and a $10,000 fine for maintaining a drug trafficking place. He is also charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
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