Waynesboro man charged in alleged marijuana grow operation

WAYNESBORO - A Waynesboro man was arrested for his alleged involved in a marijuana grow operation after authorities found more than 60 grams of the drug at a home in the borough. 

Edgar Eugene Statler, 49, is charged with felony manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, court documents show. He was arraigned and then released on $25,000 unsecured bail. 

The Franklin County Drug Task Force was notified about the operation on Feb. 21 after the Franklin County Sheriff's Office discovered it while searching the residence at Old Route 16 for a wanted man, according to documents filed on Nov. 19. 

Officers with the task force arrived at the area, and spoke with Statler and a woman who claimed the marijuana being grown in the home belonged to the wanted man. 

During a search, police said they found a scale, mouth pieces, several glass smoking devices, 10 suspected marijuana plants, stems, multiple inverters, grow lights, PVC pipe used for extracting oils from the plant and a safe. Statler, the woman and another resident all denied owning the safe. Court documents also show Statler and the woman told officers the wanted man didn't pay any rent or compensation for his items at the property. 

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The items seized were taken to the task force's office. The safe was opened and found to contain three bags of suspected marijuana, a glass jar containing the possible drug and personal documents belonging to the woman. 

The items found in the safe and several plant leaves were analyzed by state police, and tested positive for marijuana. The total amount found was about 64 grams, documents show. 

A preliminary hearing for Statler is scheduled for Dec. 18. 

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