Members of the Southeastern Minnesota Drug Task Force found a collection of marijuana plants in an Austin home in the 300 block of 37th Street SW after executing a search warrant Thursday night.

According to police reports, officers found 21 plants, between 8 and 12 inches tall, growing in a bedroom of the residence. They also searched a small shed on the property that was equipped with nine electrical outlets, vents in the ceiling, hooks for fluorescent lights and bags of soil. Austin Police Capt. Curt Rude stated that because of what officers found in the shed, they believe the resident was planning on transferring the plants to a garden in the shed so the they could grow out more.

The resident, a 41-year-old Austin man, was not home at the time of the raid and has not been located.

The case is being forwarded to the Mower County attorney's office and the man is expected to face felony drug charges.

Amanda L. Rohde can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:amanda.rohde@austindailyherald.com