Police: Couple Arrested for Growing Pot Also Possessed Heroin

Police say the two Ferguson Township residents arrested yesterday for allegedly growing marijuana in their backyard also possessed other drugs, including over 30 bags of heroin.

Jerrold Graham, 53, and Barbara Falk, 64, now face multiple charges, including felony possession with intent to deliver and misdemeanor possession. Falk also faces an additional felony charge of acquiring of a controlled substance through deception after police say they discovered 36 oxycotin pills without a prescription in her name.

Barbara Falk was taken into custody on Thursday afternoon. Photo by Michael Martin Garrett/StateCollege.com

Both defendants were arrested by Ferguson Township police on Thursday afternoon at their home at 2294 Charleston Drive. Police first began their investigation into Graham and Falk in September 2014, when officers received a tip from several neighbors who reported that Falk and Graham had constructed a makeshift greenhouse in their backyard.

Pennsylvania State Police flew over the area in a helicopter last September with a Ferguson Township police officer, but the greenhouse was empty and there was no evidence to take further action. However, another flyover conducted on Thursday morning reportedly revealed that a large amount of marijuana was growing in the greenhouse, leading police to approach Graham in his driveway.

\”Graham immediately stated that he knew why [police] were there,\” the criminal complaint reads. \”He told [officers] about the marijuana plants in the back yard and also… about marijuana plants in the basement and attic.\”

Photo provided by law enforcement.

Graham and Falk gave consent to search the house, according to court documents. Police say they found a total of 68 marijuana plants between the greenhouse, basement and attic. Police also say they found roughly 30 blue bags of heroin labeled \”apple\” and another 13 bags of heroin labeled \”moby dick.\”

Graham also reportedly attempted to flush something down a toilet and denied possessing any heroin before later admitting to bringing heroin downstairs when he heard the helicopter outside.

Photo provided by law enforcement.

“Be kind to yourself. Be gentle to yourself. I am a child of the universe,” Graham said to reporters as he was being taken into custody, possibly referencing the influential poem Desiderata by Max Ehrmann.

Graham and Falk are currently being held in the Centre County Correctional facility on $200,000 bail. They were arraigned before Magesiterial District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker on Thursday, and currently await a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, September 2.

The Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the Centre County Drug Task Force, made of representatives from police departments across the county, also assisted in the drug bust.