Marijuana crop found among tomato plants

Officials find drugs, smoking devices, scales, grinders, a revolver and more

By Ben Orcutt - borcutt@nvdaily.com

FRONT ROYAL -- Marijuana plants and tomato plants do not mix well together, at least not according to the law.

An investigation sparked by the seizure of marijuana plants from a Shenandoah Farms residence, where the illegal crop was growing among tomato plants, is still ongoing, according to the Warren County commonwealth attorney's office.

A search warrant return executed by Deputy Brad W. Pugh on Aug. 8 and on file in Circuit Court indicates that Pugh seized seven marijuana plants from the residence at 323 Timberline Ridge Road.

In addition to the plants that were seized, Pugh also seized a plastic bag that contained marijuana, 10 smoking devices, three grinders, a set of postal scales, a .22-caliber revolver and other items believed to be connected with a marijuana growing operation.

The search warrant that Pugh obtained Aug. 8, which is also on file in Circuit Court, indicates that he was seeking the warrant in relation to a possible charge of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

In his affidavit for the search warrant, also in court files, Pugh indicates that he would be searching for, "Controlled substances, including, but not limited to marijuana."

Pugh also lists that he would be searching for paraphernalia associated with the distribution of marijuana.

Pugh says in the affidavit for the search warrant that he spoke with Bridget Pricilla, the owner of the property where the marijuana was seized, on Aug. 8.

"Pricilla advised that on August 7, 2010 she observed three large marijuana plants and numerous smaller marijuana plants growing in with tomato plants that her sister, Toni Smith, was growing outside the basement entrance to the residence," Pugh states. "Pricilla advised that she spoke with her husband about the plants and on [Aug. 8] she observed the three large marijuana plants were missing but the smaller marijuana plants were still there. Pricilla advised her sister has not left the property since August 7, 2010."

As of Thursday, there were no charges filed in the case.

"I would imagine if there hasn't been any warrants issued or anything like that yet, it's probably pending," Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron said. "They may do straight indictments or something like that, but I don't know that much about that case."

Without speaking with Pugh or the commonwealth attorney's office, McEathron said he could not be sure who may be charged, "if anybody."