JON'S CELL: A 33-year-old Wassau man has been arrested and faces multiple alleged drug charges, including manufacturing or delivering marijuana, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges stem from what police are saying is the biggest drug bust to have ever occurred in Marathon County.
According to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department, the drug investigation began after a worker for a local delivery service called authorities with a tip about a suspicious package. This led investigators to perform a search of the man’s residence where they allegedly discovered 2,159 grams of processed marijuana and several thousand dollars in cash.
Based on information allegedly found at the man’s home, investigators then began a search of a second residence located in the rural Athens area. There, investigators recovered 727 marijuana plants, 1,466 grams of processed marijuana and a large amount of cash, along with equipment to grow and process the marijuana plants.
A subsequent statement later released by investigators reported that the seized marijuana plants had a street value of approximately $2 million.
A preliminary hearing in the case was set for Feb. 19 after the man’s initial court hearing on Monday. The man was further ordered to be released on a $25,000 bond.
Drug charges such as drug trafficking, intent to distribute, and drug distribution can have serious consequences for a defendant and should never be taken lightly. An experienced criminal attorney could assist in preparing a criminal defense that might reduce these charges and may help a defendant to avoid a lengthy prison sentence.
Source: Wausau Daily Herald, “Update: Wausau-area police seize $2 million in pot plants in Marathon County” Shereen Siewert, Feb. 10, 2014
