An overnight house fire led authorities to a drug arrest in east Daviess County.
On Tuesday, the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office along with Daviess County Fire Department responded the 5000 block of Free Silver Road in reference to a house that was on fire. Upon arrival, the DCSO deputy was approached by firefighters on scene who stated that they had located multiple stalks of what they believed to be marijuana.
The DCSO deputy questioned the homeowner, Darrin L. Gerteisen, 52, of Philpot, about the possibility of marijuana being inside his house. Gerteisen stated he only had two plants that he had grown in his yard and had already harvested them.
Further search of the property revealed a three pipes with suspected methamphetamine residue inside, multiple marijuana stalks, four scales suspected to be used for weighing to sell, several small plastic bags suspected to be used for packaging to sell, two large boxes with multiple marijuana buds, and a large bowl with marijuana shake in the bottom.
The total weight of all marijuana buds, not including what was still on stalks, was 665 grams or approximately 1.5 pounds.
The house was a total loss and the fire is not suspected to be related to the drug activity in the home.
Gerteisen was charged with cultivating in marijuana less than five plants, trafficking in marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
