A Rochester man has been charged with marijuana cultivation and misdemeanor possession after a July 6 search warrant revealed a plant-growing operation at the property on Mendell Road, according to a police press release.

Criminal complaints were issued in Wareham District Court Tuesday against Walter H. Dixon, 62, after 17 marijuana plants were found on the property in July. With a full size plant having a street value of close to $1,000, according to the release, the crop when fully-grown would have been worth nearly $17,000.

"The plants were well cared for, being fertilized, and contained with fencing," said Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee in the release. "They were planted in discreet locations around the property to hamper detection."

Dixon was questioned at the Rochester Police Station and admitted to growing the plants and using marijuana on a regular basis. Dixon stated he has been growing it for years. Dixon will now be arraigned in Wareham Court on a felony count of cultivating marijuana and a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession over 1 ounce.

Rochester police also seized an additional 42 marijuana plants that same day from a cranberry bog at the end of Dexter Lane. The potential value of that crop is near $40,000. That case remains under investigation.