After Traffic Stop, Olney Man Charged With Trafficking Marijuana
By John McDevitt
CHELTENHAM, Pa. (CBS) -- Law enforcement officials in both Montgomery and Philadelphia counties worked together to take down what they are calling a large-scale marijuana operation.
When Cheltenham police pulled over 31-year-old Eugene Horsch last Tuesday, officials say officers noticed burn marks on the man and dirt under his fingernails. Then they discovered fresh marijuana plants in the vehicle.
That led to a search of Horsch's home, in the 3200 block of Chew Avenue in the Olney section of Philadelphia, where a large-scale marijuana-growing operation was discovered.
"As a result of that we recovered 190 plants, as well as 20 pounds that was prepackaged, for a value of $1.9 million," said Capt. Tom Davidson of the Philadelphia Police Department's narcotics unit today at department's Forensic Science Center, 8th and Poplar Streets.
Authorities believe Horsch, who has four prior drug arrests, was trafficking the marijuana on the streets.
"Clearly you have an operation in Philadelphia and you have that stop in Montgomery County," said Montgomery County assistant district attorney Nathan Schadler. "We don't have a specific location on where they were intended, but clearly you have felony behavior in both counties."
No others suspects were being sought.
