NORWAY — Police arrested three out-of-state men Tuesday after finding a sophisticated marijuana growing operation in a rented house on Salinitas Drive.


Brian Scott Jordan, 27, of Suwanee, Ga.; Jeb J. McWade, 27, of Maryland; and Julian Alexander Pendas, 25, of Miami, Fla., were charged with aggravated marijuana cultivation and aggravated drug trafficking. Chief Robert Federico of the Norway Police Department said the men were arrested after they returned to the home, which is off Route 118 near the Responsible Pet Care animal shelter.


Federico said 255 marijuana plants were seized from the house at 39 Salinitas Drive. Two vehicles believed to be involved in transporting the marijuana were also confiscated. Police also found packaged marijuana, sandwich bags, pipes, books and magazines on marijuana, and documents saying the men had been charged with growing marijuana in Yarmouth in May. Federico said the men have other pending charges and convictions in other states.


Federico said the house was set up with timers for watering and lighting the plants, carbon dioxide removers and fans. He estimated that the marijuana and equipment has a total value of $75,000 to $100,000, and might be part of a larger operation.


“We believe these folks are probably renting more homes in the state of Maine,” he said. “These three young fellows with no apparent income were renting two homes at the same time. We have to ask ourselves why, and why just two?”

The police chief declined to say how police learned of the drug operation.


The men remained at the Oxford County Jail on Wednesday afternoon.


mlangeveld@sunjournal.com

The Norway Police Department arrested three men Tuesday after finding a sophisticated marijuana growing operation at a rented house on Salinitas Drive.


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