A Wealth of Drugs, Cash and Equipment Seized

A report of a gun shot from inside a house on Evergreen Park Road, Lexington Park, caused police to respond Sunday night. But when the occupant refused to answer the door police entered to investigate.

Officers were surprised to find the house was not at all set up for living, but was set up as a massive marijuana factory, with every room dedicated to one stage of the major growing operation, St. Mary’s Sheriff Lt. Daniel Alioto tells The Bay Net.

The occupant, Brian Samuels, was rushed to the hospital with a gun shot wound to the arm, and police began to inventory what could be one of the largest busts in the county.

According to Alioto, police seized $120,000 in marijuana plants, $20,000 in growing equipment, a pound of pot ready for sale, and quantities of illegal mushrooms, Quaaludes and hashish. Police also took two guns, a 2002 Honda Civic, $500 in cash, and later seized $12,000 in two bank accounts.

“There is no way you couldn’t help but notice this house was not set up for normal living,” Alioto said. “There was no mistaking it, as soon as you walked in the door there was equipment everywhere, in every room. It was a very elaborate operation.”

Alioto said it appeared the gunshot wound was the result of a robbery attempt, but that angle is still under investigation.

Samuels, who ironically graduated from St. Mary’s College with a degree in economics, was in the hospital until today, Alioto said, and then he was taken into custody.

Alioto said the scope of this marijuana distribution operation is large, and more arrests could be forthcoming. Police are also investigating the possible robbery attempt.