Southwick police executed a warrant Friday at 49 Tannery Road and found a marijuana growing operation before arresting the resident, Aaron Smiley. (Photo ©2014 Carl E. Hartdegen)
WESTFIELD – A Southwick man is facing drug and firearms charges after an investigation culminated with a search of his home Friday where contraband was found.
Det. Sgt. Robert D. Landis reports that as a result of an investigation into a suspected marijuana growing operation a warrant was granted Wednesday in Westfield District Court and executed Friday morning.
Landis reports that, assisted by officers from the Eastern Hampden Narcotics Task Force and members of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, town officers served the warrant at 49 Tannery Road in Southwick and were met at the door by the resident, Aaron Smiley, 39.
The search of the house revealed three basement rooms “equipped with indoor lighting and ventilation” where about 60 marijuana plants were found to be in various stages of growth.
In addition to the plants, Landis reports, packaging and processing supplies consistent with a distribution program were found, as well as more than $7,500 in cash.
In Smiley’s bedroom a loaded .22 caliber handgun, with a round chambered, was found unsecured in a nightstand.
A 12-gauge shotgun was found in a basement closet.
Landis reports that officers determined that neither Smiley nor his wife had been issued a valid license to carry firearms or a firearms identification card.
Smiley was arrested and Westfield police were asked to contact his wife at her workplace to advise her that her husband had been arrested and town police needed her to come home to care for their animals. City police report the woman was advised and said that she would return to her home.
Smiley appeared before Judge Philip A. Contant later in the day and was arraigned on charges of possession of a Class D drug, possession of a Class D drug with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm without a FID card and improper storage of a firearm.
He was released on his personal recognizance pending an Aug. 12 hearing.
