NUMIDIA - Secluded in the woods of Roaring Creek Township, Richard Alan Zambor became self-sufficient, hunting animals and growing vegetables.
To make money, police charge, Zambor grew another cash crop - marijuana.
Police seized approximately 125 plants, from seedlings to those more than 5 feet tall, the equipment needed to grow the pot, plus weapons and more than $47,000 in cash from his home along a dirt driveway off Mill Road Monday morning.
Locust Township Police showed some of the drugs and items seized during a press event Tuesday afternoon at its Numidia station before leading the media to Zambor's property about four miles away. Reporters were allowed to walk the property and see where the pot had been growing, although they weren't permitted to enter the house or shed.
Chief Allen Breach called Monday's seizure the largest with which he's been involved.
"It's a lot of marijuana that we've gotten out of the system, thanks to good and cooperative police work," he said Tuesday.
A 'green thumb'
Zambor, 53, of 2501 Mill Road, Catawissa, who lives on the property believed to be owned by another family member, was charged by police with two felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, three misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and the misbranding of a controlled substance after two Vicodin tablets were found in a tobacco tin.
According to court documents filed by Locust Township Patrolman Nicholas Thorpe, a search warrant was obtained at 6 a.m. Monday. Officers from Locust Township and Catawissa arrived at 7:53 a.m. and Zambor was taken into custody without incident, Breach said.
Thorpe said the smell of marijuana was immediately apparent at the property. Once inside the house, the drug smell became stronger, he said.
The two-story home has just one room on each floor, Breach said.
He said Zambor had several crops of vegetables growing and that they looked much better than his own garden.
"This gentlemen obviously knew what he was doing," Breach said. "He had a real green thumb."
Police displayed an irrigation pump Zambor rigged up for a nearby tributary of Roaring Creek, which he used to water the outdoor crops.
Upstairs in the home is where police found several small marijuana plants underneath a growth light at the foot of a bed. Nearby, in a partially walled-off room, a dozen small marijuana plants were found under another lamp.
In a clearing created some 50 feet away from the home, 49 potted marijuana plants were found. It was some of those that were approximately 5 feet high, Breach said.
In a shed behind the home, officers found numerous bags of trimmings, buds, a large piece of marijuana hash and numerous containers labeled with different varieties of marijuana, including "Hawaiian", "Pineapple" and "White Witch."
Police also found clips, pipes, bags, a tumbler used for making hash, fertilizers and all the items needed to maintain a marijuana growing operation, officers said.
"Everything here was well thought out," Breach said.
Weapons, money seized
The affidavit of probable cause says $1,800 was found in a bank envelope in a kitchen drawer. Upstairs, a camouflage bag containing approximately $42,000 was found behind a dresser. All total, police seized $47,041.31.
Police also showed off a number of weapons found in Zambor's home, including several high-powered rifles, knives, a crossbow and a .357 handgun.
"At least two of the rifles found were loaded with the safety off," Breach said. "We don't know if he was that paranoid or just had them for hunting."
For now, investigators will continue to comb over notes and a computer system seized from Zambor.
Monday's raid was a result of a three-year investigation, and it will continue to see if the suspect distributed the marijuana for sale, Breach said.
"We had him under suspicion and were sharing intelligence with other departments," Breach said.
$75,000 bail
Zambor was arraigned Monday before Magisterial District Judge Craig W. Long of Catawissa and placed in Columbia County Prison on $75,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for July 25 before Long.
In a press release, Breach thanked the Columbia County District Attorney's Office, Columbia County Drug Task Force and Catawissa Borough Police, and the Valley Chemical Fire Company Co., of Numidia, and Greater Columbia EMS paramedic unit, of Bloomsburg, for their safety support services during the raid.
The chief said the bust is a big step in the fight against drugs.
"This investigation shows that it may take time, but we are determined to fight against drugs, and we will find those who distribute them in one form or another and put an end to it," Breach said.