State Police say they seized $140,000 worth of marijuana plants from a Boone County home on Monday.
Derek Adam Odell, 30, of Arvel Lane in Peytona, was charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, and possession with intent to deliver Xanax, according to a criminal complaint filed in Boone County Magistrate Court. State Police found 56 marijuana plants, 26 small blue pills believed to be Xanax, digital scales and numerous small plastic bags, according to troopers as well as the complaint.
Neither Odell nor his wife showed up to meet their child or children at the school bus, so the bus driver drove back to the grade school, where police were called, said Sgt. C.R. Sutphin, of the Danville detachment.
Senior Trooper G.S. Walter II went to the home where he could smell marijuana inside house after the door was opened. He obtained a search warrant for the home, Sutphin said.
Sutphin described the marijuana-growing as "an elaborate operation." He said a ventilation system with filters was set up so the smell could not be detected outside, and that the plants were growing inside of tents.
Sutphin said the wife has not been connected to the operation at this point but the investigation is ongoing.
He estimated it was the largest marijuana bust in Boone County in the last year or two.
Child Protective Services was contacted.