max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
A resident of Indian Trail is due back in court next February to face charges of possession of a Class D substance with intent to distribute.
Michael Alves, 41, of 35 Indian Trail, North Attleborough, will return to Attleboro District Court on Feb. 4 for a pretrial session, according to court records. He is charged with knowingly manufacturing, cultivating, or dispensing marijuana. Police reports state that in September, North Attleborough Electric Department employees reported electricity use at a barn on the property well in excess of a residential property. Most recently, the barn was using 14,000-17,000 KWH (Kilowatt Hours). An average home uses 500-1,000 KWH and a commercial businesses used 10,000 KWH.
The NAED employees also noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the barn, and observed an active security camera on it. The windows were all boarded up, preventing anyone from seeing inside. Police went to the property and noticed a strong odor of marijuana around the barn.
Police reports state that in October, police applied for and were granted a Forward Looking Infra Red warrant. A Mass State Police helicopter was taken over the property on Oct. 5, and the heat signature coming from the barn was consistent with high pressure sodium lights and metal halide lights, which are used for an indoor grow operation.
On Oct. 11, a search warrant was conducted, and police found 63 marijuana plants on the property. Residents are limited to a maximum of six plants. The barn contained an elaborate lighting and ventilation system. Police also found several pounds of loose marijuana—some packaged for sale—and $6,980 in cash.
Alves was not home at the time, and police spoke to him over the phone. According to police records, Alves claimed he has a medical marijuana card which allows him to grow up to 99 plants. Police informed him this was not the case.
The marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. The potential penalty for this charged is imprisonment not more than two years or a fine ranging from $500 to $5,000.
