Apr 15, 2016 1 min read

BEALLSVILLE – A marijuana growing system was dismantled last month in a Beallsville basement, leading investigators to file drug charges Thursday against a resident of the house.

The Washington County drug task force searched 2849 Main St. on March 10 and claimed to have seized three live plants with root systems from the residence of Richard Allen Westen, 35.

The residence was searched about 9:40 p.m. with the assistance of state police and Washington County Adult Probation Office.

Westen was taken into custody by probation officers and placed in Washington County jail prior to the search, according to the affidavit supporting the criminal charges in the case.

Investigators also seized two portable insulated greenhouses, two grow lamps, electric timers, a digital scale and “an amount of dried marijuana,” the affidavit shows.

Washington County Judge Gary Gilman sentenced Westen to two years of probation after he pleaded guilty in July to giving false statements to South Strabane Township police, court records show.

He faces charges of drug possession with intent to deliver, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

District Judge Curtis Thompson is scheduled to arraign Westen at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.