Police said a call from a concerned citizen about a neglected dog led to the dog being taken by the SPCA and the discovery of its owner's marijuana-growing operation.

  (Photo courtesy of The Portsmouth Herald)  On Aug. 26 police arrested Jeffrey Austin, 36, of 204 Concord Way, on a felony charge of manufacturing a controlled drug. Police Capt. Janet Champlin said the charge was filed after police obtained a warrant to search the residence and discovered marijuana plants growing under fluorescent lights inside.

Champlin said the plants were in their "infancy," but at maturity would have a street value of several thousand dollars.

The police captain said the plant operation was discovered after a neighbor called police to report newspapers piling up in front of the residence and a seemingly abandoned dog. Animal-neglect charges are being investigated, said Champlin, adding Austin had been living at the home but had not been there for several days.

Following his arrest, Austin was released on $25,000 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 16 in Portsmouth District Court.

Local police ask anyone with further information about the case to call Detective Stephen Arnold at 603-436-2511, or the anonymous Crime Stoppers line at 603-431-1199.

Reference:

The Portsmouth Herald