Over 200 marijuana plants with a street value of well over $100,000 were seized as part of a large illegal marijuana growing operation.

On Thursday, November 3rd at approximately 7:00AM, Officers from the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office and Clear Lake Police Department stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on HWY 18 just east of Balsam.  A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the finding of 3 ounces of marijuana.  The driver of the vehicle, 28-year-old Anthony Schmitt of Whittemore, was arrested and booked in to the Cerro Gordo County Jail.

As a result of the traffic stop and arrest, a search warrant was executed at Scmitt's residence at 302 HWY 18 in Whittemore.  The property search revealed several pounds of high-grade marijuana and an elaborate growing operation.  The growing operation contained equipment and supplies to produce and harvest marijuana in large quantities. 

Over 200 marijuana plants at various stages of maturity were seized along with the equipment and supplies.  The estimated potential street value yield of the cultivated marijuana, marijuana plants, along with the materials and equipment associated with the growing operation is suspected to be worth several hundred thousand dollars. 

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office and Clear Lake Police Department were assisted by the Mason City Police Department, Kossuth County Sheriff's Office, and the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force.

The investigation is ongoing and further charges are possible. 

Anyone with further details on this incident is encouraged to contact the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office at 641-421-3000.