Authorities arrested a couple Tuesday morning after finding a marijuana growing operation in the West Council Street rental home they share with their four children.
Jonathan Edward Scott, 26, and Nakia Sanders Scott, 29, are charged with possession with intent to manufacture and deliver marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture sell and deliver drugs within a 1,000 feet of a day care, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor child abuse.
They were placed in the Rowan County jail, each under a $125,000 secured bond.
One child was taken from the home by the Rowan County Department of Social Services. Three other children live in the home but were at school, Salisbury Police Capt. Shelia Lingle said.
Salisbury police narcotics unit and criminal investigators executed a drug search warrant at the home at 8 a.m. Tuesday after getting a number of complaints about possible drug activity in the neighborhood.
Investigators seized 1.3 pounds of marijuana, $363 in cash, a revolver and drug paraphernalia as well as lights, warmers and other equipment in the basement used to grow marijuana.
They discovered marijuana inside jars in the basement, the living room and other parts of the house.
Lingle said the couple have been renting the home for several months. Neighbors said there was a lot of foot traffic at the home, but they didn’t think there was illegal activity taking place.
One neighbor, Timothy Peck, said his children played with the couple’s children after school and he had no idea what was going on inside the home.
The neighborhood is quiet, Peck said.