Exeter Teen Charged with Growing Pot on Conservation Land

An Exeter teenager on Friday was arrested and charged with growing marijuana on conservation land near Linden Street.

Michael Tirico, 19, was charged with felony-level marijuana cultivation. Police said they seized one 5-foot tall plant.

"The grow may have been a trial run," police said in a statement. "More disturbing is the fact that the grow was chosen to be created in an area of conservation lands near the Exeter River on Linden Street where the public, including children, often play and walk on the trails and fish in the river."

Police said they launched an investigation into Tirico in the summer and used "covert surveillance" before his arrest.

An investigation into the grow operation is ongoing, and police said more people could be charged.