Gwinnett County police said Wednesday that a man was arrested after the search for a stolen car led them to his Lawrenceville-area home — where they found “an elaborate marijuana growing operation,” stolen guns, counterfeit cash, a bit of cocaine and a selection of bath salts.
A state trooper followed the Lo-Jack signal from a BMW stolen out of DeKalb County to Barry A. Dingle’s home on Pembrooke Way near Lawrenceville, according to a news release issued by Cpl. Deon Washington. The trooper made contact with Dingle, who reportedly said he was holding the vehicle “for a friend.”
The trooper contacted Gwinnett County police for assistance and, while investigating the vehicle, officers allegedly noticed “the strong smell of marijuana” coming from the residence. They obtained a search warrant and found a treasure drove of illegal activity inside, Washington said.
In addition to 17 pot plants and 1,480 grams of loose marijuana, police said they found two stolen firearms, a fake auto title for the BMW, $740 in counterfeit cash, five grams of powder cocaine and 5.5 grams of bath salts.
Dingle was arrested and charged with several offenses, including theft by receiving a stolen vehicle, possession of a vehicle with an altered VIN, first-degree forgery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, manufacture of marijuana and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
Online records show he is being held at the Gwinnett County jail without bond.
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