FSPD acts on tip, seizes marijuana plants

Fort Scott Police officers confiscated considerable amounts of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia on Wednesday at a residence located at 1121 E. Elm St.

Shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday, police received a tip from a concerned citizen about suspicious drug-related activity taking place at the residence. According to police, the tipster reported that the house contained a possible marijuana growing operation. An investigation into the tip resulted in a search warrant being issued for the premises, according to a statement from the Fort Scott Police Department.

After sifting through the Elm Street house, police seized more than 100 marijuana plants and other undisclosed drug-related items. Officers then arrested Leslie L. Litchfield, 45, Mary J. Ransier, 50, and Caleb M. Smith, 20, all of whom were taken into custody and charged with narcotics-related offenses.

Litchfield was arrested at 2:24 p.m. Wednesday for possession of marijuana, cultivation of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remains in custody at the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center. Ransier was arrested at 5:11 p.m. Wednesday for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of simulated controlled substances. She is also still in custody at the SEKRCC.

Smith was also arrested shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released at 9:24 p.m. Wednesday on a $2,500 bond.