Stoddard County authorities find sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation

DEXTER, Mo. -- Two Dexter men were charged Thursday with manufacturing and drug trafficking after authorities seized more than 200 suspected marijuana plants in what is described as an "exceptional grow operation."

Don Murphy, 31, and Robert Earl Williams, 45, were charged with the Class A felony of first-degree trafficking and the Class B felony of manufacturing marijuana by Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn.

Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield issued warrants for the arrest of Murphy and Williams, setting their bonds at $125,000 cash and $100,000 cash respectively.

"We got a tip of an indoor grow operation at an unoccupied residence south of Dexter on Old Sand Road," which is located off of Highway 25, explained Stoddard County Deputy Keith Haynes, who is assigned to the SEMO Drug Task Force.

When Haynes checked into the tip Thursday morning, he said, he saw indications the one-story, wood frame residence had a ventilation system.

According to an affidavit filed with the court, Haynes described the ventilation system as consisting of an exhaust fan on the north end of the house, which was running, as well as three whirlybirds on top of the house.

An air conditioner on the south end of the house also was running, he said.

Two piles of potting soil also were seen in the back yard, Haynes said.

Haynes said he also contacted neighbors, who were identified as Murphy and Williams and lived about an eighth of a mile down the road.

"They turned out to be our suspects," Haynes said. "They denied ownership of the place (but) checks with the local utility company (showed) the meter was in Mr. Murphy's name."

Haynes said he subsequently applied for a search warrant, which was executed mid-morning by officers with the sheriff's department and the SEMO Drug Task Force.

"We found 218 marijuana plants with lighting and ventilation systems," Haynes explained. Authorities report the total weight of the suspected marijuana was about 240 pounds.

The plants, which ranged from 1 foot to 4 1/2 feet tall, were potted individually and found in the home's two bedrooms and living room, Haynes said.

"We did find approximately 50 pounds that had been trimmed off the plants," said Haynes, who described the trimming as being done to "make the plants grow taller."

Officers, Haynes said, also found "gallons and gallons of fertilizer," as well as numerous bags of potting soil. A "how-to" book and catalogs for ordering materials were among the other items found in the home, he said.

Although there wasn't a watering system in place, only a garden hose, there was an "elaborate timing system," which included heaters to keep the plants warm, Haynes said. There also were devices in place to keep track of not only the temperature, but also the humidity in the home, he said.

Haynes described the 18 lights being used as "very expensive," costing about $250 each. A case of extra bulbs also was found, he said.

"It was an exceptional grow operation, pretty sophisticated, high tech (with) good quality plants," said Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Kevin Glaser, who heads the drug task force.

The individual(s) had "quite an investment in the operation," Glaser explained. "I've probably been involved in (busting) as many (operations) in Southeast Missouri as anyone, and aside from the one at Sikeston a few years ago, this is one of the most elaborate I've seen in this area.

"For Southeast Missouri, it was a pretty elaborate set up; a lot of expensive equipment went into the manufacturing part. ... The county did a good job of getting on it and finding it."

The street value of the plants at maturity, according to what Glaser told Haynes, is about $3,500 per plant or more than $750,000.

It is believed the indoor grow operation began in April since "that's when they put the electric meter in the house," Haynes said.

Williams was arrested at the scene after officers found suspected marijuana in his pocket, Haynes said. Murphy was not arrested, and a third arrest could be possible, he said.

Williams subsequently was booked at the Stoddard County Jail and is to be arraigned Oct. 28 on the charges before Satterfield.

"I think this is another example of the sheriff's office and our office working together (to combat) the drug problem," Welborn said. "The sheriff's department got their information together and came to us; we stopped court and got a search warrant.

"They immediately served it, and you can see what happened -- one of the biggest busts we've ever had. That shows our continuing commitment to get these (drug offenders) out of here."

The cases against Murphy and Williams now will proceed through the courts, and "we'll work to obtain the maximum with this case under the trafficking" law, Welborn said.