Keith Strange | The News
Pilot Mountain K-9 Handler L.R. Jackson, K-9 Zipper and Sgt. J.G. Hold are pictured with some of the items seized from a residence located at the Pinnacle Hill Apartments Friday. Paul Rejniak has been charged with five counts of the manufacture of a controlled substance in addition to other charges related to the seizure.
PILOT MOUNTAIN — A Pilot Mountain man was arrested and placed under a $5,000 bond after town police officers allegedly discovered a marijuana growing operation in his apartment.
According to Chief B.D. Bottoms, last Friday evening officers with the department received information about marijuana allegedly being used at an apartment located at 106 S. Key Street, the site of the Pinnacle Hill Apartments.
“K-9 Officer Robbie Jackson and Sgt. Gary Hold arrived at apartment 76 and spoke with tenant Paul Rejniak,” Bottoms said. “While speaking with Mr. Rejniak, the officers could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside (the) apartment.”
After smelling marijuana, officers asked the tenant if there was marijuana inside the apartment.
“At this time, Mr. Rejniak pulled out three clear plastic Tupperware containers that (allegedly) contained small amounts of marijuana,” Bottoms said.
Upon further investigation, officers discovered a back bedroom containing an indoor greenhouse.
The department’s drug dog, Zipper, was used in the search and located several more items in the apartment.
“Officers seized four growing lights, four pounds of fertilizer, a rotating fan, air purifier, timer lights, a black tent, containers, smoking pipes, five four-foot tall marijuana plants and marijuana seeds,” Bottoms said.
As a result of the search, Rejniak was placed under arrest and charged with five counts of the manufacture of a controlled substance, maintaining a drug dwelling, possession of a control substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was transported to the jail, where he is awaiting a Jan. 28 trial.
Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@heartlandpublications.com or 719-1929.
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