A Kalispell couple and two men from the Canyon area all have pleaded not guilty to felony drug charges after three marijuana grow houses were busted.

Jeremy Frey, 32, and Tonia Frey, 33, allegedly had been running marijuana grow operations at three houses within a few blocks of one another in the Creston area, while Jacob McDonald, 37, of Hungry Horse, and Eric Speer, 32, of Columbia Falls, are alleged to have helped them.

All four pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to individual felony charges of criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs.

Discovery of the grow houses came after the Northwest Drug Task Force received information that the Freys were running the grow operations on Larch Lane and Krause Lane, and that McDonald and Speer were helping them, according to court documents.

Further evidence was reportedly uncovered when search warrants obtained for the electrical records at the properties showed an elevated use of electricity. Jeremy Frey also was allegedly seen at one of the properties.

After search warrants for the properties were obtained, approximately 137 marijuana plants were located 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 allegedly were discovered, along with mail addressed to Speer. Speer allegedly was found to have been paying the electric bill for one of the properties in cash. Prior to the searches, vehicles belonging to the Freys and McDonald were seen at the properties.

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

Investigation of the properties was completed by task-force agents with help from the U.S. Border Patrol, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and one other agency.

Jeremy Frey also is charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession with intent to distribute in two other cases.

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

The next hearing in Jeremy Frey’s intent to distribute case is set for June 12. The next hearing in his new case is Aug. 27.

Tonia Frey also is charged with criminal possession with intent to distribute in another case.

If convicted in both of her cases, she 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.

The next hearing in Tonia Frey’s intent to distribute case is July 16. The next hearing in her new case is Aug. 27.

Both of the Freys initially were incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center with their bonds set at $60,000, but they were both released on their own recognizance by Justice of the Peace Dan Wilson during hearings on April 11.

McDonald and Speer each face between two years and life in the state prison if convicted. Their next hearings are set for Aug. 27. Both initially were incarcerated in the county jail with bonds set at $50,000, but both were later released on their own recognizance.

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