Coosa County police and narcotics from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) served an arrest warrant at a home in the Hanover Community on July 21st. Randolph Pearce, a convicted felon, was alleged to be in possession of several marijuana plants, but officials discovered much more than they were expecting.

Upon searching the house and a small building on the property, police discovered that Pearce was operating an elaborate hydroponic system to grow marijuana. The system, complete with lights, timers, and irrigation, was supporting more than 60 marijuana plants. Police said the total street value of those plants would be more than $310,000.

Hydroponics is a method of growing water without soil. The plants get their nutrients by placing their roots into a nutrient rich water solution. Often these nutrients come from the waste of ducks or fish living in the water, but nutrients can also simply be added to the water by normal means.

The use of hydroponics to grow marijuana has become very popular in recent years, especially in states where it is still illegal. It allows growers to keep their plants concealed indoors, instead of trying to hide tracts of land dedicated to marijuana farming. However, the Coosa County police proved that not everything can be hidden from the law.

Pearce was charged with manufacturing of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held at the Coosa County jail on a $30,000 bond.