Well-Being Check Leads to Pot Cultivation Arrest in Coventry

The Coventry Police Department’s headquarters might need some airing out after police seized nine pounds of marijuana and several live plants as evidence on Tuesday following the arrest of a 41-year-old local man.

Coventry police responded to 32 Woodmist Circle at around 12:47 p.m. after they got a call from a pizza delivery driver who said that a longtime customer who lived there didn’t answer his door.

Police said the driver was worried for the man’s well-being and police responded to make sure he was OK.

Upon arrival, police were able to make contact with the resident, identified as James Van Pelt, who was OK after all. But officers discovered a “sizable” marijuana grow operation at the house that included several mature plants and seedlings. They also found nine pounds of “usable” or processed marijuana, grow equipment and packaging materials.

Van Pelt was arraigned Wednesday on a felony charge of manufacturing and possession of marijuana and was released on surety bail.

He is due to return to court at a later date.