Updated 05/18/2009 04:46 PM
Deputies bust marijuana growing operation
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RANDLEMAN, N.C. – The Randolph County Sheriff's Office arrested and charged 47-year-old Richard Kontout over the weekend after investigators received an anonymous tip saying he was growing a large amount of marijuana inside his Randleman home on Birch Drive.
Richard Kontout
Sheriff Maynard Reid said detectives seized grow lights, a ventilation system and approximately 359 marijuana plants from the home. On the street, the drugs are worth almost $360,000.
“These guys would have made no telling how much money and distributed no telling how many illegal drugs from this same residence," added Reid.
Neighbor Jimmy Arrington said he’s seen his neighborhood change a lot since he and his wife moved in 42 years ago.
“Around here there are a lot of drugs, a lot of alcohol. There are just a lot of bad people that live here but there are also a lot of good people," he said. "We just want to be around people that care about one another instead of being in an environment like this."
Case by case, Reid said he's working on it.
“They’re after these drug dealers and we are hopefully making a dent in it here in Randolph County," he said.
Kontout faces several charges, including trafficking in marijuana and possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana. He's being held on a $150,000 secured bond.