More than $1 million worth of marijuana plants were seized in five locations Thursday as part of a multi-agency effort.
The Warren County Drug Task Force was joined by law enforcement officials in Franklin, Middletown and Dayton as they conducted five separate searches in Franklin Twp., the city of Franklin, Middletown and Dayton.
The searches netted 430 “high quality marijuana plants,” along with more than 15 gallons of hashish oil and butter, according to a press release. In addition, an operation producing large amounts of marijuana edibles that included ice cream, brownies, fudge, candy, and cookies were also seized along with the industrial production equipment used to manufacture these products.
Also seized was a large cache of firearms, including automatic weapons with serial numbers removed, and quantities of gold and silver in a safe at the Franklin location.
James P. West, 50, who was present at the 6560 Shaker Road residence in Franklin, has been charged with cultivating marijuana and possession of marijuana, both second-degree felonies.
The agency said the case remains under investigation with more arrests likely.
The Warren County Drug Task Force worked along with officers from Franklin, Middletown, and Dayton police, as well as the Dayton Drug Enforcement Agency office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the RANGE drug task force.
