Marijuana Plants Found Growing Along I-270

Hilliard police arrested a man in connection with a suspected drug operation early Thursday morning.

Police were called to the Garden Ridge Store, located along Park Mill Run Drive, after a security guard tipped them off to a suspicious vehicle around 1:45 a.m.

When officers arrived, they noticed a hole in a fence leading to a path. The path led to an area full of brush, where officers heard noises.

After setting up a perimeter around the vehicle, officers arrested 50-year-old William Soldner. He was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after officers said that they found chemicals, including plant food inside the car.

Police initially found 20 to 30 marijuana plants growing along Park Mill Run Drive, which backs up to Interstate 270.

By the end of the day on Thursday, investigators found 74 plants scattered in three separate growing areas.

According to police, the marijuana plants were sprinkled throughout the densely wooded area, just yards from the highway.

Investigators said that they were looking to see if others were involved in the suspected marijuana growing operation.

10TV News spoke with Solder, who was free on bond Thursday evening, off camera. He denied knowledge of the marijuana growing operation.

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