By Ginger Kozlowski
Staff Writer

A stroke of luck for Pembroke police turned into an unexpectedly bad day for a Pembroke couple now charged with growing marijuana in their apartment.

Detective Sgt. Dwayne Gilman was assisting Allenstown police Lt. Shaun Mulholland with an investigation on Thursday, May 12, at 43 Front St. Upon entering the common hallway, both officers noticed a strong odor of fresh marijuana.

“The stench was like 60 times more” than processed and bagged marijuana, said Gilman.

The police officers confronted Jillian George, 22, and Jared Ally, 20, with their suspicions but were denied entry to the apartment. A drug-detecting dog provided by state police furthered the officers' suspicions, so a search warrant was obtained from Hooksett Districit Court. The officers returned to the apartment about an hour later and found George and Ally destroying marijuana plants.

In addition to a small amount of residual marijuana, police seized grow lamps, fans, fertilizers, a carbon dioxide tank, potting soil and portable scales. The operation had the potential of producing tens of thousands of dollars worth of marijuana, according to Pembroke police.

Gilman said such an operation is not that unusual, but he couldn't remember the last time such an operation was busted in Pembroke.

"This bust put a dent in the drug activity downtown," said Gilman. "All drug dealers eventually get caught. I think this guy had no idea we'd knock on his door."

Both George and Ally were held overnight at the Merrimack County Jail in Boscawen. They have been charged with manufacturing a controlled drug, a Class A felony, and destruction of evidence, a Class B felony. Each entered not-guilty pleas at Hooksett District Court and were released on $5,000 cash bail. A probable cause hearing was set for Monday, May 23, at Hooksett District Court for both George and Ally.