Castle Shannon police bust a marijuana grow operation
Castle Shannon police arrested two people Nov. 24 in connection with a marijuana growing and manufacturing operation that yielded 37 plants, grow lights, venting, humidifiers and electric timers following a two-month investigation.
Police Chief Kenneth Truver said John Wanto, 26, and Nikole Medved, 20, both of 3115 Home Avenue, Pittsburgh, where the operation was located, were charged with manufacture, possession and intent to deliver marijuana, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia. Truver did not have a monetary value on the marijuana plants.
He said police had been receiving complaints from neighbors about heavy foot traffic in and out of the Home Avenue residence, as well as reports of people getting high in vehicles parked in front of the house.
In addition to the plants, police found a processing station in the couple’s dining room, which was being used to extract cannabis oil from the plants to manufacture dabs.
Dabs are concentrated doses of marijuana made by extracting THC and other cannabinoids using a solvent like butane. The end result is a sticky wax extract that gives the user a quick and stronger high, according to leafly.com, a marijuana information website.
“This (dabs) is something new for parents to look for,” Truver said. “Look for something waxy.”
Wanto and Medved were arraigned before District Judge David Barton who set bail at $1,000, or 10 percent for both. They are free on bond, according to Barton’s office.