Crime & Safety

Republican Party Official Arrested After MPLS Police Allegedly Find 23 Marijuana Plants in Home

A Republican Party official has been charged with two felonies after police say they found marijuana growing in his home in Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Republican Party official has been charged with growing nearly two dozen marijuana plants in his home in Minneapolis. Mark S. Fox, 50, is currently the treasurer for the Republican Party’s Senate District 60, a district includes northeast Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota.

The Start Tribune reported that Fox was charged this week two felony drug counts in connection with police seizing 23 marijuana plants, nearly a pound of marijuana and several guns from his home:

While Fox was not there, police searched the home Monday and found the marijuana growing operation in the basement. Officers also located several baggies of marijuana in an office. They were labeled “Purple Ja,” “Afghan Cush” and “HP13.” Also in the office was a bolt-action rifle, a .357-caliber revolver, ammunition and $4,700 in cash. A rifle was located in a bedroom. In the kitchen, officers found one-third of an ounce of hashish.

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According to his bio on the Senate District 60 website, Mark has been a community organizer in Northeast Minneapolis for more than a decade.

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"Mark ran an independent campaign for Minneapolis City Council in 2009, and put his name on the ballot again in 2013," the profile reads. "He remains an independent-minded advocate for Northeast Minneapolis within the Republican Party. When he’s not arguing on the internet, Mark likes to ride his bike."

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