A 41-year-old Bertrand Township man was arrested for a suspected connection with an illegal marijuana grow operation at 1645 Mallard Drive, according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.

Byron Paul-Ricardo Sambat was arrested last week, after police searched his home and found 347 marijuana plants, approximately 8.8 pounds of processed marijuana and marijuana wax, and grow equipment at the residence, police said.

SWET-West detectives, along with members of the Berrien County Sheriff Department, responded to the home after a complaint of a suspicious vehicle.

At the home, authorities discovered signs of a large marijuana grow operation  from inside. Police secured a search warrant and discovered the illegal operation.

During the execution of the warrant, Sambat fled the house, and was apprehended a short time later.

Sambat was arrested and arraigned in Berrien County Court. He was charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana, manufacturing marijuana and maintaining a drug house.

The Southwest Enforcement Team is comprised of sworn law enforcement personnel from the Michigan State Police, Marshall Police Department, Barry County Sheriff’s Department, Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department, Kalamazoo Township Police Department, South Haven Police Department, Covert Police Department and the Berrien County Sheriff Department.

SWET is funded in part by the Michigan High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, Byrne JAG grant.