Pot growing operation discovered in Delavan

Mike Heine/The Week

(Published April 18, 2007, 9:48 a.m.)

The Walworth County Drug Unit uncovered a large marijuana growing operation at N8833 Pickeral Lake Road in Troy Township earlier this month.

Police recovered seven marijuana "root balls" and evidence of a "sophisticated" growing operation that probably produced dozens of marijuana plants prior to the April 4 search, Drug Unit Sgt. Jeff Patek said.

"More plants were grown there at one time," Patek said. "Between the number of pots, lights and size of the rooms, it would indicate a larger grow than the seven plants."

Other items recovered from the home included more than 50 buckets, hoses, heating lamps, fertilizers, potting trays and power cords, all evidence of a growing operation, Patek said.

Patek suspects the marijuana was grown at the unlived in residence since November.

On April 6, police arrested 31-year-old Raffie Harmanian, of Murrieta, Calif., and Anthony J. Saporito, 25, of Chicago, when they came to the rental home. They alleged they were there to fix frozen pipes, but had three pulleys in their possession that matched pulleys found attached to the ceilings in one of the rooms where marijuana was growing, according to the criminal complaint.

Harmanian was charged with manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana, both felonies, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Saporito will likely face a marijuana possession charge, Patek said.

Harmanian remains in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail. Saporito has been released.

Patek expects other arrests to come from the open investigation.

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