Matthew Burch, left, and Taylor Hellmers were arrested by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives after authorities served a warrant at their Metairie home.
Narcotics detectives with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office seized a “large quantity” of marijuana and more than $74,000 in cash during a drug bust at a Metairie home. Two suspects were arrested, and authorities seized 51 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, according to arrest reports.
Detectives arrested Matthew Burch, 27, and Taylor Hellmers, 21, of 765 W. William David Parkway, Metairie, Wednesday (May 4) after serving a search warrant at their residence, the report said.
Investigators found eight mature marijuana plants in a room equipped with a lighting system and other tools commonly used for “indoor cultivation,” the report said. Detectives found another 43 younger marijuana plants in a second room with a similar lighting set up.
A “large quantity” of marijuana was found hanging in a bedroom. Detectives also found smaller amounts of the drug in containers in the house, the reports said.
The search turned up a 9mm pistol and $74,190 cash. The money was in small denominations, indicative of drug sales, the arrest report said. Investigators also seized a bottle of testosterone.
Burch was booked at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna with possession of manufacturing of marijuana with the intent to distribute, drug possession with the intent to distribute, drug possession, possession of .28 to 200 grams of illegal narcotics and use of a firearm in connection with drug activity. Burch was released Thursday on a $175,000 bond.
Hellmers was booked with possession of 2.5 to 60 pounds of marijuana. She was released Thursday on a $35,000 bond.
