FORTY-ONE GUNS, MARIJUANA WITH STREET VALUE OF APPROXIMATELY $100,000 AND $12,000 CASH SEIZED FROM DRUG MANUFACTURING OPERATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT STING

MADISON - A joint narcotics investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation and narcotics investigators from the DeForest Police Department executed a search warrant at a marijuana grow operation in the Village of Waunakee on the morning of October 1, 2008.

DCI and the DeForest Police Department were assisted by members of the Dane County SWAT Team and the Dane County Drug Task Force. The Dane County Bomb Squad also assisted in the search warrant based on information that the suspect had "booby trapped" the area surrounding the marijuana plants.

Upon executing the warrant, one subject was arrested, 41 guns were seized along with $12,000.00 in U.S. currency, over 60 marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia, computers and documents.

The suspect had constructed rooms in the basement of the home and the detached garage area that allowed for the growing and drying of the marijuana. There were over 50 large marijuana plants found growing outside, adjacent to a cornfield and also marijuana plants growing inside of the garage area. There was also over one pound of harvested marijuana found at the residence.

During the execution of the warrant, the suspect alerted agents and investigators as to the locations of the booby traps that were surrounding the outdoor marijuana plants before any injuries occurred.

The suspect is being held in the Dane County jail. Charges are expected to be brought by federal or state authorities within forty-eight hours.

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The allegations described above have not been proven in a court of law. The defendant is presumed innocent, and the state bears the burden of proving the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.