DRUG AGENTS UNCOVER MARIJUANA OPERATION

Waukesha - County drug agents found about 100 marijuana plants growing in
two cornfields near Coffee and Calhoun roads in New Berlin, according to
charges filed against one man Monday.

Thomas E. Daniels, 28, of Waukesha was charged with manufacturing marijuana
and possession with intent to deliver marijuana. He remained in jail in
lieu of $15,000 bail.

More charges are to be filed against Daniels and perhaps other individuals,
Assistant District Attorney William Roach said.

New Berlin police and Waukesha County Metro Drug Unit agents, investigating
a report of a drug-growing operation in the fields, caught Daniels bending
over bags of cut plants early Monday morning, according to a criminal
complaint.

He fled but was arrested at 1:30 a.m. after a foot chase in which the
Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department's helicopter was used, New Berlin
Police Lt. David Dunn said.

Eight bags containing 217 pounds of marijuana were found at the site
Daniels had fled, the complaint alleges.

Sheriff's Detective Steve Pederson, who called the operation a "substantial
grow," said officers had been watching the operation over the weekend.
"These plants were being tended to," he said.