Three charged following discovery of 238 hydroponic marijuana plants
Three people were arrested Tuesday, May 15 after Montgomery County officers discovered an "elaborate hydroponic marijuana grow" at a residence in Magnolia, Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Gage said in a news release.
John Daniel, 34, of Plantersville, and Danielle Hagler, 30, and John Vinson, 36, both of Spring, are charged with possession of five to 50 pounds of marijuana. Vinson also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance.
Gage said the case will be presented to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office for prosecution, and more charges are expected.
About 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, officers from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit seized 238 plants and the equipment used to grow a crop utilizing hydroponics, a method of growing plants in nutrient-infused water without soil. The grow was discovered at a residence in the 20100 block of FM 1488 in Magnolia.
"Each plant is capable of producing up to one pound of marijuana," the sheriff said, estimating the street value at $5,500 a pound.
The THC level of hydroponic marijuana is "extremely stronger" than domestic marijuana grown by traditional methods or marijuana smuggled in from Mexico, Gage added.
While searching the residence, officers also allegedly found a pistol in a vehicle belonging to Vinson, described in the news release as a convicted felon and "self-proclaimed member of the Houstone Tango Blast prison gang."
Others taking part in the investigation, seizure and arrests include Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
District 4 Patrol, Grimes County Constable Ann Weaks' Office, Montgomery County Constable David Hill's Office, Montgomery County Auto Theft and Special Crimes Prosecutor Rob Freyer of the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.
