Rigby police investigate marijuana growing operation

Rigby Police confiscated a motor home on Rigby Lake Drive Saturday after finding marijuana, scales and equipment used for growing marijuana inside. Dried marijuana in a baggie was also recovered.

According to police, Detective Chris Martin was called to a rental house on Idaho Avenue last Thursday. The property manager told Martin he found several suspicious items in the garage.

Martin said the walls of the garage were covered in plastic sheeting and the floor was wet. Several power cords were also running throughout the garage. He also saw several dry leaves on the floor consistent in shape, color and the odor of marijuana.

The renter was not at the house.

On Saturday, Martin was monitoring traffic on Rigby Lake Drive when a tan motor home pulled into the parking lot. It had several remote control airplanes in the front window. Martin knew the suspect in the rental house flew remote control airplanes and owned a motor home.

The RV’s license plate matched a Volkswagen Jetta owned by the suspect.

A police dog detected the odor of marijuana. After obtaining a search warrant, officers found 20 marijuana plants inside the motor home. Police said they think the suspect moved the material from the garage into the motor home.

Martin estimated the street value of the marijuana at $6,500 and the growing equipment and RV at $11,500.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police have joined the Rigby Police investigation.