Couple arrested after police find 24 marijuana plants growing in their backyard
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IDAHO FALLS — A couple is facing charges after police say they grew 24 marijuana plants in their backyard greenhouse.
Randall K. Foster, 59, and Audrey J. Atwood, 62, were both arrested and charged with manufacturing (or in this case growing) a controlled substance.
Idaho Falls Police served a search warrant on Oct. 8 at the couple’s home on the 600 block of 12th Street, according to court documents obtained by EastIdahoNews.com.
When police arrived, officers reported smelling a strong odor of raw marijuana coming from a locked makeshift greenhouse in the backyard. Police noted the plastic on the greenhouse was “bulging” from the large amount of marijuana inside.
When police cut the lock to the door, they discovered the fully grown plants with automatic drip lines and a ventilation system.
Atwood was asked if she knew anything about the plants and detectives say she didn’t deny anything.
“Well, it’s on my land. What else can I say,” Atwood said, according to court documents. “It’s my house.”
Police learned Atwood lived at the residence with Foster, her boyfriend. He was not home at the time of the search warrant but came after officers called him.
Foster told police the plants were his and that he grows them for medical purposes. He said he started the plants from seeds about five months ago and has not used any of the buds, according to court documents.
Police searched the home and found a sandwich bag with marijuana and paraphernalia.
Foster and Atwood are scheduled to appear in court later this month.