Palmer pair arrested for growing marijuana

PALMER (AP) -- Alaska State Troopers said drug agents uncovered a marijuana-growing operation Friday that contained more than 1,000 plants being cultivated in six rooms of a Palmer residence.

Agents also found a semi trailer, apparently used in the past for growing marijuana, buried under a storage shed.

Raymond Selmont, 35, and his sister-in-law, Monica Selmont, 30, were arrested on felony drug charges and a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Troopers said two young children were at the home.

The residence on Buffalo Mine Road, contained 1,259 plants and associated growing equipment. Most of the plants were between 12 and 16 inches tall, troopers said.

''There was just room after room after room of grow operations under 25 high-intensity lighting systems, and one that was using natural sunlight up on an upper deck,'' troopers spokesman Greg Wilkinson said.

Raymond and Monica Selmont were booked at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on $5,000 cash bail.