PRINT ADS

Viroqua Police officers uncovered a complex marijuana growing operation in the basement of a house located just a few blocks from the Vernon County Court-house, Thursday.

Officers confiscated 155 marijuana plants, some of which were nearing the time they could be harvested. Kraig Hanson, 46, of Viroqua, was arrested under suspicion of possessing marijuana. Vernon County District Attorney Timothy Gaskell said that Hanson was likely facing charges of possession of marijuana and manufacturing marijuana with intent to deliver. Hanson was released from jail on a $10,000 signature bond, Friday afternoon. His initial court appearance has been set for Monday, June 30, at 8:30 a.m.

Viroqua Police Department Investigator Dave Mattice said the growing operation was the most intricate ever uncovered in the city of Viroqua.

“There were air scrubbers, a filtration system, fans, a watering system and lights on a timer,” Mattice said. “We haven’t seen anything of this size or sophistication before in Viroqua.”

The plants were found in a basement room in a home where Hanson resides, Viroqua Police Chief Mark Rahr said. Officers also found some drug paraphernalia. Gaskell said in court that drying marijuana was also found at the home.

Assistant Police Chief Daron Jefson executed the search warrant along with Mattice, Sergeant Dave Jefson and officers Todd Simonson and Mitch Ziolkowski. Ziolkowski is the handler of the Viroqua Police Department’s K-9 officer “Lil’ Bud,” who helped during the search of the house.

Sgt. Jefson said that the search warrant was obtained from information gained from a tip given in another investigation. He said the Viroqua department has had “very little contact” in the past with Hanson. The state’s circuit court computer database has no record of him being previously arrested.

The growing operation had 29 pails set together with three-to-four marijuana plants per pail. It appears as if the plants were pruned to be harvested when they had reached about 18 inches in height. Some of the plants were near maturity and covered with sticky “buds,” which have a pungent odor.

“Some of them appear like they were ready to be harvested any day,” Rahr said.

The plants would be dried after harvest before they could be processed to be used, Sgt. Jefson said.

“The quantity found tends to suggest they were grown for distribution,” Mattice said.

Sgt. Jefson said the search did not uncover any firearms or large amounts of money, which are sometimes found in connection with marijuana growing operations.