A six-week investigation by the Indiana State Police and other police agencies has led to the filing of felony drug charges against a Rochester, Indiana couple.

Daniel R. Nells, 44, was arrested Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana over 30 grams, dealing marijuana over 30 grams, and maintaining a common nuisance, all Class D felonies punishable by a term of six months to three years, police said. Nells was also charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of paraphernalia.

According to police, at 9:21 a.m. officers simultaneously executed search warrants at two properties owned by Nells, one in rural Rochester in Fulton County, the other in rural Knox in Starke County. At the Rochester residence officers recovered 704 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, equipment valued at $10,000, and drug paraphernalia, police said. “This home appeared to be unoccupied and used exclusively to grow marijuana. Nells was staying in a camper on the property.”

Police said that the marijuana plants had an approximate street value of $700,000.

At the Knox residence officers recovered handguns, an undetermined amount of U.S. currency, marijuana under 30 grams, and drug paraphernalia, police said.

Nells was transported to Fulton County Jail and was being held with bond set at $7,500. “So far, Nells only faces criminal charges in Fulton County,” police said. “A report will be forwarded to the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office requesting that charges be filed for the items allegedly found at his Knox, Ind., home.”

Assisting the ISP were the Miami County Drug Task Force, the Rochester Police Department, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Police, the ISP Bremen, Peru, and Lowell posts, and detectives from the ISP Drug Enforcement Section.

Posted 11/19/2009