Alaska State Troopers discovered more than 200 pot plants growing in a Wasilla home after a man was suspected of stealing power from Matanuska Electric Association, charges say.
Kevin Mielke, 37, was in the midst of cooking crack cocaine when authorities arrived at the Yadon Drive home Thursday afternoon, according to a sworn affidavit signed by Trooper Nasruk Nay. He was arrested on charges of second-degree theft, four counts of fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance and one count of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance.
MEA began a theft investigation after the co-operative was tipped off that Mielke was swiping their power. They discovered that between Nov. 11 and Dec. 7, power was being supplied to the home straight from the service line, bypassing the residential meter. In all, about $1,280 worth of power was stolen, Nay wrote.
A search warrant was obtained, and when troopers entered the home they found Mielke “hiding behind marijuana plants in a grow room,” the affidavit says. Authorities found 235 plants — at various stages of growth — along with 54.73 grams of processed marijuana; a dish that contained cocaine residue, which was being converted from base cocaine to crack; a small measuring cup still moist with crack cocaine in it and an additional 1.1 grams of crack cocaine. There were also several high-intensity grow lights, fans, ballasts and timers operating in the home.
MEA dug up the service line to the residence and confirmed the illegal power supply. Mielke was taken to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and held on $10,000 bail.