State Police make drug bust worth $700K

ROCHESTER, Ind. (WANE) - A six week long investigation resulted in one arrest after police found a grow operation inside a Rochester home with 704 marijuana plants inside, equaling a street value of about $700,000.

The investigation brought police to search two homes owned by 44-year-old Daniel R. Nells Wednesday.

According to Indiana State Police, the first residence searched was at 10525 East 50 North in rural Knox, Ind., where officers found handguns, an undetermined amount of cash, marijuana under 30 grams and drug paraphernalia.

It was at Nells' other home, at 4250 South 225 West in rural Rochester where police found an active indoor marijuana grow operation with 704 marijuana plants. Police estimated the growing equipment alone cost nearly $10,000. Police said the home appeared to be unoccupied and used solely for the purpose of growing marijuana. Nells was living in a camper on the property.

Nells faces a class D felony for Possession of Marijuana over 30 grams, Dealing Marijuana over 30 grams and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. Nells is also charged with a misdemeanor for Possessing Drug Paraphernaila in Fulton County.

Police said a report will be filed with the Starke County Prosecutor's office requesting that charges be filed for the items found at the Knox, Ind. home.