PHOTO GALLERY: Warrenton couple arrested for pot growing operation

KSDK -- A Warren County husband and wife were arrested Thursday afternoon for allegedly operating a large marijuana growing facility inside their home, the Warren County Sheriff's Department said.

According to Sheriff Kevin T. Harrison, deputies went to the home of Edward and Juli Pilla in the Rangeline Acres Subdivision, located off Sunnyside Road west of Warrenton.

Click here for photos from the bust

Edward Pilla, 48, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and an additional count of production of a controlled substance. He remains in jail on a $50,000 bond. His wife, 48-year-old Juli, was charged with one count of production of a controlled substance. She's in jail on a $25,000 bond.

The arrests are the culmination of a four-month investigation, Harrison said.

Deputies seized numerous sodium halide lights, electronic timers, light rails, ballasts, fans, filtration systems, soil, fertilizer, over 60 marijuana plants, and more than 140 quart-sized plastic bags containing fully processed marijuana, which weighed in at 11 pounds. The processed marijuana had an estimated street value of over $30,000.

Investigators also discovered the couple was preparing to expand their operation by adding another growing room, Harrison said. Authorities also found electronic equipment which had been professionally installed for the growing operation. Police also confiscated that equipment for evidence.