1,000 pot plants seized in Canterbury

Canterbury, Conn. (WTNH) - Over 1,000 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were seized by State Police in Canterbury.

The drug bust happened August 9 at a home on Raymond Schoolhouse Road. Police say the four men arrested were working together on a major grow operation, with parts of the home and a barn being used for various stages of the cultivation process.

Mark Caron, a neighbor, saw the helicopter circling for about forty five minutes Monday afternoon. “We knew there was something going on because they were pretty low and all doors were open on the helicopter.”

Shannen Mavros says it was confusing until she realized what was going on.

“It was really confusing at first. We saw the helicopters and the police cars,” she said, “At first me and my mom were joking around saying they must have the wrong town this can't be right.”

Arrested were Richard Houghtaling of Danbury, Thomas Phravixay of Canterbury, Sisouk Phravixay of Florida and William Eichin of Naugatuck. They face a slew of charges including possession and cultivation.

Houghtaling, property owner, and the other men were arrested while building a green house on the property. Police say plants, cultivation equipment, and $1,600 in cash were found inside the house and in a two-story barn.

“I've actually seen him walking by sometimes. He's come over and pet my dog,” added Shannen Mavros. “He always seemed like such a nice man.”

Folks on Raymond Schoolhouse Road say they never even knew there was anything illegal happening on the property. But state police say by shutting down this alleged drug operation, they put a big dent in the state's marijuana trade.

It's definitely not what I would expect here it's one of the quietest towns in Connecticut,” Shannen Mavros commented.

The State Police Statewide Narcotics Task force spotted some of the plants from above with the help of the Massachusetts Air National Guard.

Police say the street value of the drugs is about $1 million making this bust one of the largest drug busts in the state.