Mike H. Morton, a rural Udall man who has been active in Cowley County politics and once ran for county commissioner, was among those arrested as part of an extensive investigation into the growing of marijuana, undersheriff Bill Mueller said.
Morton, 55, faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia for use in the manufacture for sale of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and cultivation of marijuana. His bond was set at $62,000 and he posted it and was released Thursday.
Morton owned the property where the marijuana was found and Mueller described the operation as "sizable and sophisticated."
Authorities estimated that 200 pounds of marijuana – either packaged, drying or in some other phase of processing – was discovered. The pot was found when a sheriff’s deputy went to serve civil papers in the 6000 block of 42nd Rd. and smelled weed.
Michael J. Campbell, 51, was also arrested and faces charges similar to Morton’s. He has not posted bond so far.
Three others, Margaret D. Schoonover, 50, Mark D. Schoonover, 51, and Bret Blackburn, 48, were arrested on minor possession charges. Their bond was set at $1,000.
Sharon Gordon, Morton’s wife, said the couple would have little comment on the issue. Morton already has resigned from the local Legacy Foundation, she said.
"I know the news story is not going to reflect what’s really in the background," she said.
Morton and his wife have long been active with the county and state Democratic party.
