Officers Seize 73 Marijuana Plants at West Columbia Home

Officers arrested a West Columbia man Wednesday who they say was growing marijuana at his home on Rainbow Circle using a sophisticated system with electrical lighting, ventilation and climate control systems for the plants.

Theodore James Prosalenti, 32, of 566 Rainbow Circle is charged with manufacturing marijuana and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute it, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.

After two months of an undercover investigation, officers with the Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at Prosalenti's home Wednesday.

The officers seized 73 marijuana plants, dried marijuana that was stored in mason jars in preparation for selling and one 9-mm Springfield XD handgun, according to a release from the sheriff's department. The plants, dried marijuana and gun have a combined street value of about $75,000.

Officers also seized $1,752 in cash, according to the sheriff's department, and found multiple copies of High Times magazine in the residence, including issues of that featured stories on growing marijuana indoors.

The grow operation was located in a bedroom and another room at the back of Prosalenti's house, according to the sheriff's department.

He is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.

Sheriff James Metts asks anyone with information about illegal drug activity in Lexington County to call the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at 803-785-8230 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.