A Kalispell couple already facing a series of drug charges after an investigation into marijuana-growing allegations now face new charges after the alleged operation was located.

Jeremy Frey, 31, initially was charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs in December 2013.

According to a court document, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office had received a tip that there was a marijuana grow operation inside Frey’s Farview Drive home. When Northwest Drug Task Force agents went to the home, Fray denied the grow existed and invited them in to do a search.

No active grow was located but agents allegedly located a one-gallon sealable plastic bag and another container, both full of marijuana, as well as signs of a previous grow. The court document states the total weight of the marijuana was approximately one third of a pound.

Last month, agents returned to the home to serve a felony arrest warrant on Frey on the possession charge. According to another court document, they could smell marijuana as they approached the home.

No one was home and the agents applied for and were granted a search warrant. While they were waiting on its approval, 33-year-old Tonia Frey — who lived at the home along with Jeremy and their children — arrived home but left after being told of the search.

Agents found reportedly located large amounts of cash and close to a pound of marijuana in several containers as well as scales, a vacuum sealer, grow lights and ballasts.

Both Frey and Tonia were charged with felony criminal possession with intent to distribute.

One week before the search, the drug task force received information that the Freys were  operating grow operations at three locations in the Creston Area on Larch Lane and Krause Lane, according to court documents in yet another case.

Search warrants obtained for the electrical records at the properties reportedly showed elevated use. Frey allegedly was seen at one of the properties.

When searches were finally conducted, approximately 137 marijuana plants were found under grow lights attached to ballasts at one of the properties, where the windows were covered and ventilation had been installed. Items connecting the Freys to the property were also allegedly discovered.

Large amounts of marijuana plants were reportedly discovered at the other two properties as well.

Agents later interviewed a man who reportedly told them he had been asked to open an electrical utility account for the Krause Lane property and that he had been paid $5,000 to do so. He also allegedly admitted going to the property with the Freys twice to help harvest and trim the marijuana.

A court document states that, upon further investigation, it was determined that a vehicle belonging to the Freys was allegedly driven through the drive-through window of the utility provider, where the electric bill was paid in cash.

The marijuana at all three properties was reportedly labeled with the same or similar brands.

After the second set of searches, the Freys were charged with felony criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs.

Frey pleaded not guilty to his possession and distribution charges April 10 in Flathead District Court. His bonds in the two cases were initially set at $10,000 and $25,000 but he was later released on his own recognizance in each case.

During the hearing, District Judge Ted Lympus rejected a request from Frey to allow him to move to Victor. When asked why he wanted to move there, Frey said he wanted to learn to fly-fish and that seemed like a good place to do it.

At the end of that hearing, Frey was taken into custody on a $60,000 arrest warrant in the new case and remains incarcerated at the Flathead County Detention Center.

Hearings to consider the revocation of Frey’s release in the two cases are set for May 13 and 22, while an arraignment hearing in the new case is set for May 22.

If convicted in all three cases, Frey faces between two years and life plus 25 years in the Montana State Prison as well as a fine of up to $150,000.

Arraignment hearings in Tonia Frey’s cases are set for May 13 and 22.

She was arrested on a $60,000 warrant and initially incarcerated in the county jail, but she was later released on her own recognizance.

If she is convicted in both of her cases, Tonia faces between two years and life plus 20 years in the Montana State Women’s Prison as well as a fine of up to $100,000.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.