GEORGE - A marijuana growing operation raided on Sept. 21 by Grant County's Interagency Enforcement Team was not for medicinal purposes, INET detectives say.

INET detectives served a search warrant on the operation at a residence on Chinook Street, according to Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones. The warrant was based on a tip from a citizen that marijuana plants were visible in a backyard greenhouse.

INET detectives found 28 ounces of harvested marijuana, 21 marijuana plants, 15 of which were more than eight feet tall, and $11,000 in cash.

Jones said the marijuana operation was allegedly for medical purposes. But it did not comply with state law and "looked more like an illegal marijuana growing operation."

According to Jones, "qualifying patients and designated providers" can possess no more than 15 plants and no more than 24 ounces of usable cannabis.

No suspects had been named as of Thursday morning, but felony charges for manufacturing marijuana have been forwarded to the prosecutor's office.

- Staff report