Andrew Ford

@AndrewFordNews

MANCHESTER – Township police found a marijuana grow operation, along with 2.5 pounds of the drug, during a raid in which a mother and son were arrested Tuesday morning.

Officers arrested Manchester residents Joseph W. Schweitzer, 23, and Karen M. Schweitzer, 67, according to a police statement.

Joseph Schweitzer was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana over 50 grams, possession of a high capacity magazine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the statement. He was taken to Ocean County Jail with a $25,000 bail.

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Karen Schweitzer was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and released on a summons, according to the statement.

About 10 a.m. Tuesday Manchester officers searched a home on Route 539 in the Whiting section of the township.

During the search of the home and property, police say they found evidence of a marijuana grow operation along with two "long guns" and a high capacity rifle magazine. Besides the pounds of marijuana, police say they found "paraphernalia associated with the growing, harvesting, packaging and distribution of marijuana."

The investigation was led by the Manchester Police Narcotics Enforcement Team, assisted by the department's investigations and patrol bureaus, along with the K-9 unit. Lakehurst police provided assistance at the scene.

Andrew Ford: 732-643-4281; aford3@gannettnj.com