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SPANISH FORK — A husband and wife were arrested on suspicion of growing marijuana in their shed Thursday.
After receiving a tip that Edwin and Valerie Steward, both 35 years old, were growing marijuana on their property near 970 East and 120 South, detectives walked past the residence on Feb. 21 and “could smell the distinct odor of marijuana,” according to a probable cause statement.
When they returned Thursday with the Department of Child and Family Services for an unrelated case, detectives said they asked for permission to search the shed but did not obtain consent from Valerie Steward.
A short time later, detectives said they saw her husband return to the home in a truck.
“Edwin and Valerie were observed loading the truck with boxes,” the statement reads. “They both did this very rapid(ly) and appeared to be in a hurry. The truck left the residence shortly after it being loaded.”
Officers observed that the shed in the backyard was equipped for the cultivation of marijuana including a ventilation system.
–probable cause statement
Officers performed a traffic stop on the vehicle and observed growing lights and potted plants sticking out of the boxes in the bed of the truck, according to the report. It states a strong odor of marijuana was coming from inside the truck.
The truck was searched after a K9 indicated for narcotics, investigators said. Items located in the truck included numerous marijuana plants, fertilizers, horticulture lights, soil and other items used for the cultivation of marijuana.
Edwin Steward admitted to growing the marijuana for personal use, according to police. He tested positive for THC, while Valerie Steward tested positive for both PCP and THC, the report states.
“He signed a consent form for officers to search his residence,” the statement reads. “Officers observed that the shed in the backyard was equipped for the cultivation of marijuana including a ventilation system. Two firearms were also located in Valerie and Edwin's room.”
Edwin Steward was arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia in a drug-free zone, first-degree felony cultivation of marijuana in a drug free zone, third-degree felony obstruction of justice and third-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person, driving under the influence and failure to signal.
Valerie Steward was arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia in a drug-free zone, first-degree felony cultivation of marijuana in a drug-free zone, third-degree felony obstruction of justice and third-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person.
Both were booked into the Utah County Jail.