WINDER - A illegal marijuana grow operation was uncovered in Winder last Wednesday, leading to the arrests of five people.
According to Winder Police Lt. Chris Cooper, officers from his department were responding to an unrelated call on Buena Vista Street on May 20th when they detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from a nearby home.
After obtaining a search warrant based on the notion that marijuana was potentially being manufactured inside the home, police conducted a thorough search of the home near Woodlawn Avenue.
Cooper said the search revealed an extensive grow operation consisting of several pot plants, a room with special equipment used to produce the plants, and assorted drug paraphernalia that is believed to be used for manufacturing narcotics.
Police also discovered a quantity of cocaine as well as a handgun inside the residence.
Each of the five individuals arrested at the scene were charged with a number of drug-related offenses. They are as follows:
20-year-old William Platt of Winder was charged with Manufacturing marijuana, Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, Possession of cocaine, Disorderly house, Reckless conduct, Possession of drug related objects, and Possession of tools used in the commission of a crime.
21-year-old Heather Everett of Winder was charged with Manufacturing marijuana, Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, Possession of cocaine, Disorderly house, Reckless conduct, Possession of drug related objects, and Possession of tools used in the commission of a crime.
19-year-old Rachel Findlay of Winder was charged with Party to a crime of manufacturing marijuana, Party to a crime of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, Possession of cocaine, and Reckless Conduct.
23-year-old Michael Saemisch of Dacula was charged with Party to a crime of manufacturing marijuana, Party to a crime of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, Possession of cocaine, and Reckless Conduct.
22-year-old Dustin O'Kelley was charged with Party to a crime of manufacturing marijuana, Possession of marijuana with intent, Possession of cocaine, Reckless conduct, and Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Cooper noted that police located a 1-and-a-half year old child inside the residence during the execution of the search warrant.
No other information has been released.
