The CNMI Drug Enforcement Task Force arrested John K. Ari, 46, and seized 22 marijuana plants being cultivated at an abandoned residence behind a box-type tin fence on Forbidden Island in Kagman III, according to Detective Roque Camacho.
Camacho said he together with Detectives Steven Castro, Dennis Reyes, and Sean White met an individual, later identified as Ari, transplanting the marijuana plants to the ground.
Ari admitted that he owned the marijuana plants, police said.
Ari further told police that the property belongs to his cousin. Ari gave police permission to search the property where 21 marijuana plants ranging from five inches to five feet in height, five marijuana plants behind a box tin fence, and 17 marijuana plants inside the tin fence were discovered.
The seized plants tested presumed positive for marijuana, Camacho said.
Ari told police he started planting marijuana four years ago, and the seized marijuana plants were planted last October.
Ari “smokes and sells [marijuana] for his income because he does not work,” Camacho said.
Ari was remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections after his initial appearance and bail hearing on Friday afternoon.
