A Bonners Ferry man will spend 6-months in North Idaho Correctional Institution in Cottonwood  for having 55 marijuana plants in his father’s  garage on Camp Nine Road.

Luis Lorca Merono Jr., 44, was sentenced on Tuesday  by Judge Patrick Luster  to a 1-to-3-year suspended prison term for pleading guilty to felony drug possession and trafficking. 

 The state agreed to  6 months of retained jurisdiction which means he will not have to serve the 1-to-3-year prison term if he does well with treatment and concealing required while at Cottonwood. 

“Hopefully you take advantage of the retained jurisdiction,” Luster said.  I liked the letter you wrote, but I like to see performance rather than just words and this is your chance.”

Merono was arrested May 5 after Boundary County Drug Task Force found the 3 1/2 -foot tall marijuana plants growing in the garage, according to court records.    Another five plants were found outside drying in a bag.

Merono moved into his  78-year-old father’s home in November.  According to court records, Merono’s father knew nothing about the marijuana growing operation.