Police: Large pot growing operation found in Orem home

OREM — Police arrested five men Tuesday evening on suspicion of growing marijuana in the basement of their home.

Just before 10 p.m. officers responded to the home, near 1200 South and 200 West, after someone called in to report a smell of marijuana. The officers confirmed the smell and found a pipe in a garbage can on the street in front of the home, according to a release issued by the department.

The officers then obtained a warrant to search the home and found a large grow facility in the basement along with a small amount of marijuana that was still in the home, police said. There were also leaves in the plant pots and leaves in the toilet of the downstairs apartment, which police say shows that marijuana plants had been recently flushed down the toilet while the officers were obtaining the warrant.

The five men, all in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of cultivation and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing justice. — Ethan Thomas