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SANDY &8212; Police have uncovered a marijuana farm growing next to I-15 near South Towne Mall.
Police say at least two men were growing more than 100 marijuana plants, all between 3 and 5 feet tall and within a couple of weeks of harvesting, on the patch of private property between the north end of South Towne Center and south of Sandy City Hall, along I-15. The area is covered with tall grass and trees that partially hid the plants from view.
Sgt. Jon Arnold with the Sandy Police Department said the renter of the property was walking through the area a few days ago, noticed the marijuana plants and reported them to police. A narcotics team set up surveillance video in order to bust the growers.
Tuesday night around 11:30 two men showed up at the grow site. They were carrying 5-gallon water jugs to water the plants, as well as more plants to add to the farm. All of the plants were in large rubber containers, Arnold said.
Sandy police moved in and arrested one of the men, Marc Parkin, 42, of Sandy. The other man fled and managed to slip through a containment set up by police and police dogs.
While police continued to look for that man, other officers loaded the marijuana plants into the back of a truck. Police say the plants were grown in pot-like containers, making them fairly easy to move.
"It's a surprise to us that it would be going on here. That's why we're glad we're able to catch it, make an arrest, and take the marijuana off the street before it gets there," Arnold said.
Parkin was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of selling marijuana in a drug-free zone, obstruction of justice, wildlife violations, failing to stop for an officer and drug paraphernalia.
Utah State Court records show Parkin had drug-related charges filed against him in 3rd District Court in 2003 that were eventually dismissed.
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Written with contributions from Shara Park, Pat Reavy, and Randall Jeppesen
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