By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A citizen complaint about possible drug activity at a LaPlace residence led to the arrest of a man who was allegedly growing 37 marijuana plants inside the home, according to authorities with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Eckley Marshall, 34, of Indigo Parkway, LaPlace, was arrested Nov. 18 and booked with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and simple assault, said Capt. Dane Clement, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office. Marshall has since been released after posting an $11,500 bond.

Clement said the initial complaint led to a narcotics investigation of Marshall, in which deputies obtained a search and seizure warrant on his home in the 500 block of Indigo Parkway. Inside, narcotics detectives discovered 37 marijuana plants that had grown to about 4 or 5 inches tall, along with numerous items used for indoor marijuana growing systems.

On the evening of Nov. 18, detectives along with members of the Sheriff’s Office Felony Intercept Unit arrested Marshall at his home without incident.