Sumpter Twp. resident charged for growing too much marijuana

Sumpter Township resident Nelson Po, 67, was arraigned at 34th District Court on Monday morning on one count of controlled substance, delivery / manufacturing 5-45 kilograms of marijuana (or 20 to 200 plants).
This was much more than the 72 plants allowed under the Michigan Marijuana Act, said Sumpter Township Police Detective John Toth.
If he is found guilty of the charge Po faces seven years in prison or a $500,000 fine.
Po is out on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond and is scheduled to be back at 34th District Court on Aug. 31 for his probable cause conference and on Sept. 7 for his preliminary exam.
Sumpter police raided Po’s marijuana growing setup in the 45000 block of Harris Road at about 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, and stayed through the morning of Aug. 17.
Det. Toth said Sumpter police, with the aid of the Monroe Area Narcotics Team and Investigative Services (MANTIS) run by the Michigan State Police, burned a large quantity of marijuana over that night. He said a nearby resident cooperated by giving police property for the burning operation. They used diesel fuel.
At the time Po and another person were arrested and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office issued a warrant for Po, but did not charge the person. A third person was cited, he said.
“It was over and beyond what he’s allowed to have,” Det. Toth said of the amount of marijuana at the site.
Neighbors said that police confiscated vehicles and equipment from the barns, but Det. Toth said he would rather not comment on that at this time.