ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 17, 1996 TAG: 9605170044
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA
Area drug task forces along with Radford police officers raided three homes Wednesday night and seized marijuana plants valued at more than $250,000.
The Montgomery County and Rockbridge Regional drug task forces arrested Andrew P. Lawton, 23, and Michael E. Puhalski, 19, each on one count of manufacturing marijuana. Also arrested was Todd A. Trumpower, 22, on one count of distribution of mushrooms, according to a Montgomery County task force news release.
All three men were released on the following bonds: Lawton, $25,000; Puhalski, $15,000; and Trumpower, $10,000.
All three men told the officers they were students at Radford University, a task force member said.
Officers searched Trumpower's residence in the 400 block of Downey Street, Lawton's residence in the 1200 block of Grove Avenue and Puhalski's residence in the 1700 block of Fifth Street between 7:30 and 10 p.m.
Among the drugs and paraphernalia seized were more than 250 marijuana plants in various stages of growth ranging in size from seedlings to 4 feet tall. Officers also seized a small amount of mushrooms, the release said.
Each marijuana plant is capable of producing about a pound of marijuana with an estimated value of $1,000. Equipment to grow, weigh and smoke marijuana also was confiscated.
The arrests are the result of a weeklong investigation that began with a tip from an informant in the Rockbridge County area.
Information about drug crimes can be reported anonymously to the Montgomery County task force by calling 381-2291 and leaving a message on the answering machine.
LENGTH: Short : 39 linesby CNB