NORWICH – Last week the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) intercepted 10 pounds of marijuana in a postal package being mailed from Donna, Texas to a Town of Norwich residence.

Following a month-long investigation conducted by Sheriff’s detectives, DEA Special Agents and Postal Inspector Detectives, police intercepted the package and then conducted a search at two Norwich homes, one of them being the alleged destination of the drug parcel.

At around 5 p.m. Thursday, officers from the three agencies executed a narcotic search warrant at 254 County Rt. 34 in the Town of Norwich and discovered eight marijuana plants in the back yard, two small bags of marijuana, a loaded .22 caliber rifle, and an illegally possessed “black jack” weapon, along with assorted marijuana pipes and paraphernalia.

Police charged the homeowner, 52-year-old Carl Smith Jr., with second degree possession of marijuana and third degree conspiracy, both felonies. Smith was also charged with unlawful growing of marijuana and fourth degree possession of a weapon, misdemeanors.

Lt. James Lloyd said the 10-pound package of marijuana was addressed to Smith’s residence.