Task force releases photos of marijuana grow operation

Photos of a suspected marijuana grow operation taken by a task force after raids were conducted at four locations in the Miami Valley.

Photos of a suspected marijuana grow operation taken by a task force after raids were conducted at four locations in the Miami Valley.

The law enforcement task force that raided four local locations Monday and identified three suspects in a marijuana growing operation released photos of plants.

Tactical Crime Suppression Unit (TCSU) Director Charlie Stiegelmeyer wouldn’t comment on which of the four locations in Springboro, Dayton and Harrision Twp. that the photos were taken.

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The task force named Thomas Betz, Melanie Betz and Michael Dorley as suspects in the operation. Stiegelmeyer said it hasn’t been decided if the plants would be taken to the Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab because Ken Betz — Thomas Betz’s father — is the crime lab’s director.

“We have not approached that bridge yet,” Stiegelmeyer said. “Once our case is conducted, it will be turned over to the prosecutor’s office for them to review for whatever charges they deem necessary.”

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Stigelmeyer said the task force made up of representatives from Centerville, Germantown, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood, Springboro and West Carrollton was formed in 1974.

“We do a little bit of everything,” Stiegelmeyer said. “Whatever the agencies need help investigating … we help conduct it for them.”

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Thomas and Melanie Betz’s Springboro residence on West Waterbury Drive was searched, and WCPO reported that several bags of evidence were taken away as concerned neighbors watched.

Kettering police assisted with a search of TB Livery Inc. at 1918 Valley St. in Dayton, which is owned by Thomas Betz, according to the Better Business Bureau. Officials also raided a home on Woodville Drive in Harrison Twp. that’s reportedly connected to Thomas Betz.

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Police also raided a property owned by Dorley on Kling Drive in Dayton. Dorley, 40, had been booked into the Kettering City Jail but he no longer shows up in online records.

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