×

NG pleas in Tipler marijuana bust

REED ALAN WELLS

FLORENCE, Wis. — A Tipler, Wis., man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Florence County Court to charges accusing him of having 201 marijuana plants and various marijuana edibles in his garage.

Reed Alan Wells, 68, will return to court Feb. 7 for a pre-trial conference on charges of manufacture or deliver marijuana-more than 10,000 grams and possession with intent to deliver marijuana-more than 10,000 grams, both 15-year felonies, as well as misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Florence County deputies went Sept. 25 to Wells’ residence on Camp 5 Road on a tip that two suspects in a large burglary ring were there, according to the criminal complaint.

Deputies saw a row of 5-gallon buckets containing leafy green plants with lights above them — which they believed to be a marijuana-growing operation — in Wells’ garage through an open door.

Wells initially told them the plants were tomatoes, then said he was experimenting with marijuana as a pain reliever after a motorcycle accident a year and a half earlier, the complaint states.

A search of Wells’ garage and residence revealed the plants, processed marijuana, a quart of hash oil, marijuana edibles such as gummy bears, fudge, brownies and butter, and four loaded guns, according to the complaint.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today