Merrimack police photo Joseph Gardner, 38, of 28 Peter Road, Merrimack

MERRIMACK – The couple arrested earlier this month after police raided what was described as “a sophisticated marijuana growing operation” in their Peter Road home face numerous charges and are awaiting their next court date.

Joseph Gardner, 38, and Kimberly Gardner, 39, of 28 Peter Road, had been under investigation for allegedly growing marijuana in the basement of their home, police said.

The Gardners face identical sets of charges, to include one count each of manufacure of a controlled drug; possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute; possession of a controlled drug; and common nuisance, according to police.

The common nuisance charge accuses them of using a residence, in this case their home, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing or possessing illegal drugs.

Merrimack police photo Kimberly Gardner, 39, of 28 Peter Road, Merrimack

The three drug charges are likely Class B felonies, although police didn’t specify in their report. The common nuisance charge could be either a misdemeanor or felony.

Police said members of the Merrimack department, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Street Crime Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration arrived at the home with a search warrant on Jan. 31.

They took the Gardners into custody “without incident,” and transported them to headquarters for booking.

Joseph Gardner refused the services of a bail commissioner, police said, while Kimberly Gardner’s bail was set at $10,000 cash only.

They were subsequently arraigned at Hillsborough County Superior Court South in Nashua. Police didn’t indicate if their bail status was modified at arraignment, or whether one or both is being held in jail pending their next court appearance.

Upon executing the search warrant, police said the officers found “a sophisticated growing operation, consisting of specialized watering, lighting and ventilation systems.”

They also recovered “a large quantity of harvested marijuana,” police said, along with “other suspected controlled drugs that will require further testing” at the state laboratory.

According to Merrimack police arrest logs, Joseph Gardner was arrested in October 2017 for driving under the influence of drugs and conduct after an accident.

He was accused of crashing his SUV into a rock wall on Tinker Road, where a witness watched him allegedly leave the scene and followed him.

Gardner reportedly drove home to the Peter Road residence, where police said they found him asleep in his car in the driveway.

The status of that case wasn’t immediately available.

Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DeanS.