Slidell, La. - State Police bust what they call a large scale indoor marijuana operation right in the middle of a Slidell neighborhood.
Troopers working with St. Tammany deputies, La. National Guard and federal drug agents found drugs and weapons.
A traffic stop three months ago raised the suspicion of troopers.
Investigators worked the case using undercover agents to gather enough evidence for the search.
They seized 56 high grade live marijuana plants, 21 guns, a 2007 Dodge pickup truck, drug paraphernalia and $5,000 in cash. Troopers said they discovered numerous marijuana plants being grown with an elaborate watering, filtration and lighting system.
In addition to the plants, worth an estimated $360,000, troopers say they found about $10,000 worth of marijuana already packaged for sale.
Deputies booked 51 year-old Timothy O'Neil, III with an assortment of counts related to growing and selling marijuana. His girlfriend, 38 year-old Margie Anderson, is booked with the same charges plus selling marijuana in a drug free zone.
Both were taken into custody and booked at the St. Tammany Parish jail.
(Photo provided by La. State Police)
