Man charged for scavenging marijuana

NAVARINO - A 19-year-old Whitewater man is charged with marijuana possession for allegedly scavenging five pounds of the drug from the Navarino Wildlife Area, where authorities had recently removed about 8,000 marijuana plants worth millions of dollars.

Wednesday, Shawano County Sheriff's officials patrolling the area noticed Jacob Repinski behaving suspiciously.

"Investigation into the individual and his vehicle resulted in a K9 alert on his car," said Capt. Thomas Tuma with the Shawano County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities found more than five pounds of marijuana plants either in Repinski's car or bagged near the site, as well as five marijuana pipes. At this point, authorites do not believe Repinski is involved with growing the marijuana.

Repinski told authorities he was setting up a hunting site, found the marijuana and was going to bring it to the sheriff's department.

Repinski appeared in court Thursday afternoon where he received the felony drug charge. He is currently being held on $2,500 cash bond. He could face more than 10 years in prison if convicted.

Repinski is schedule to return to court on Friday.

Meanwhile the investigation into grow operation, which is being called one of the state's largest ever, continues.

While the plants were destroyed and buried, The Shawano County Sheriff's Department says the area remains under law enforcement surveillance.