In July of 2015, member s of the Burlington Police Department’s Drug Unit and Street Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at 116 Cottage Grove in Burlington after receiving information about there being a marijuana growing operation at the residence. During the search, officers found evidence of a large scale marijuana growing operation and seized more than 250 marijuana plants in various stages of maturity. Nobody was home at the time and it appeared that the residence was primarily used to grow marijuana as the majority of the residence was dedicated to marijuana cultivation. Following continued investigation by investigators, officers charged Gary Francis Jr. (age 43 of Burlington) with Cultivation of more than 25 Marijuana Plants, a violation of Title 18 V.S.A. 4230(A)(4). Francis was cited to appear at the Chittenden Superior Court – Criminal Division for arraignment on October 1, 2015.
