Drug bust near Groton nets $50,000 in marijuana

A Groton business owner was taken into custody Tuesday night after a search of his farm and business netted 7 pounds of marijuana, small bags and electric scales.

Timothy S. Thurston, 44, of Groton has been charged with possession of with intent to distribute 1 to 10 pounds of marijuana, said Ross Erickson, Brown County Sheriff’s Office investigator and representative on the local drug task force. The charge is a felony. Thurston is the owner of Thirsty’s Lodge and Suites in Groton. During a brief court appearance Wednesday, his bond was set at $20,000.

The estimated street value of the marijuana found Tuesday is more than $50,000, Erickson said. That works out to approximately $50 for one-tenth of an ounce. Marijuana is commonly sold in one-tenth ounce bags, also known as “dime bags.”

Much of the marijuana was packed in six vacuum seal bags that were approximately 6 inches wide and 14 to 16 inches long, Erickson said. The rest was already packed into smaller bags for distribution. There was approximately $12,000 cash found on the farm 5 miles northwest of Groton.

Police believe that Thurston brought the marijuana in from out of state, Erickson said. There were empty vacuum seal bags found on the property, leading police to believe he had already sold some of the pot he originally brought. Thurston was the only person arrested Tuesday, but law enforcers believe he had assistants distributing.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Groton Police Department, Aberdeen Police Department and the drug task force all participated in the search that began at 7 p.m., Erickson said. Police searched the property and Thirsty’s Lodge on Main Street in Groton for about four hours. A small amount of marijuana and a scale were found at the bar.

Thurston’s next scheduled court date is Dec. 22.

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