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Maine Man Charged With Growing 450 Pot Plants

LEWISTON, Maine - Maine police they have arrested a Lewiston man they say was cultivating 450 marijuana plants in the building where he lives.

Police say they charged 39-year-old John Katula with aggravated cultivating of marijuana, a felony. Authorities say Katula told police he was a licensed marijuana caregiver under the state's medical marijuana program. Police say Katula's caregiver registration card expired in June 2013.

Police say they found "mature, flowering marijuana plants" and an extensive lighting and ventilation system. They say the street value of the marijuana was more than $100,000.

Katula was taken to Androscoggin County Jail where bail was set at $5,000. It was unclear if he has an attorney. A phone number listed in his name was disconnected.