Marijuana growing operation found

RUMFORD -- An elaborate marijuana growing operation was discovered on Pine Street on April 12 while police were conducting a routine bail check on a Rumford man.

Rumford Police Chief Stacy Carter reported that Joshua N. Gilbert, 24 and Heather Souweine, 27, of 328 Pine St. were charged with unlawful furnishing in Scheduled Z Drugs, Class D and cultivating marijuana, Class C.

Gilbert was also charged with violating conditions of release due to the new criminal conduct.

Patrolman Joseph Sage and Det. Sgt. James Bernard of the Rumford Police Department conducted a bail check on Gilbert after he was arrested over the weekend on an operating after suspension charge. He was also summonsed at that time for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

When officers arrived at Gilbert’s door, they were met with an overwhelming smell of marijuana coming from inside the residence. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that Gilbert and Souweine had an elaborate marijuana growing operation in the basement of their home. There were 122 marijuana plants and approximately a half pound of processed marijuana were seized from the residence. Also seized were items of drug paraphernalia, marijuana growing literature and items used for weighing and packaging the marijuana.

Rumford Police Capt. Daniel Garbarini and Special Agent Tony Milligan of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency also assisted in the investigation.

Gilbert and Souweine have a court date for 8 a.m. on June 17 in Superior Court in South Paris.