Police make major pot bust
More than 100 pounds of marijuana seized from home
Monday, July 16, 2007
OQUAWKA - A Smithshire man remains in the Henderson County Jail today after police allegedly found more than 100 pounds of marijuana in his home.Henderson County Sheriff Mark K. Lumbeck said the marijuana seizure is one of the largest ever made in Henderson County.
Steven P. Benson, 43, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Friday after police officers from three law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at his residence about 3.5 miles southwest of Raritan.
Benson has been charged with unlawful manufacture of cannabis 5,000 grams, cannabis trafficking and unlawful production of more than 20 cannabis plants.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Henderson County Sheriff's Department, which was assisted during the arrest by the Warren County Sheriff's Department, Illinois State Police and the ISP K-9 unit.
Once inside the home, officers allegedly uncovered more than 90 pounds of marijuana in plastic bags, 30 growing plants and harvesting equipment.
Lumbeck did not estimate the street value of the marijuana.
Additional arrests may be made in connection to the investigation. Based on the amount of marijuana seized, Benson may have been selling the pot to various dealers in the area.
Benson is being held on $250,000 bond. He may make his initial court appearance today.
