Stephen C. Montsch
Delaware State Police provided these photos of the suspected marijuana seized in Kent County.KENT COUNTY, Del.- Delaware State Police in Kent County have arrested one man and are looking for another following two separate investigations that led to suspected marijuana growing operations.
Police said that at around 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, the DSP Kent County Drug Unit, with the assistance of Troop 3 patrol troopers, received information about a marijuana grow operation in the 1000 block of Hollering Hill Road near Camden-Wyoming.
Detectives and troopers responded to the address where they said they discovered several marijuana plants growing next to the deck of the home. The owner of the home, Stephen C. Montsch, 34, was contacted and taken into custody.
Troopers said Montsch gave consent to search the inside of the home, which uncovered several bags of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Investigators said that in all, the marijuana plants growing outside weighed more than 8 pounds. Montsch was brought back to Troop 3 where he was arrested for manufacturing a controlled substance (marijuana), possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on $5,000 unsecured bond.
In a separate incident at around 6 p.m. on the same date, Kent County Drug Unit detectives and troopers responded to the 2000 block of Forest Avenue in Dover after learning of another marijuana growing operation. Police said that when they arrived at the home, detectives discovered 375 marijuana plants totaling more than 140 pounds that were growing along the hedgerow of the property. A search warrant was obtained for the house and detectives located an additional 42 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, police said.
The homeowner, William I. Johns Jr., 47, has not been located and warrants are on file for his arrest for manufacturing a controlled substance (marijuana), possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
There appears to be no connection between the two operations, investigators said.
Anyone with information on Johns' whereabouts is asked to contact Troop 3 at (302) 741-2798 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via www.tipsubmit.com.
Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
