COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Coldwater restaurant owner is no longer facing marijuana charges following a ruling by Branch County Circuit Court Judge Bill O’Grady.
Branch County Prosecutors filed manufacturing and delivering marijuana charges against Nikoloas Troullinos in April 2017 following an investigation by Coldwater City Police and the Branch County Sheriff’s Department.
A three day trial was scheduled to take place in early December.
The ruling by O’Grady to dismiss the charges against Troullinos, who is the owner of the Coldwater Garden restaurant, came after an evidentiary hearing was held November 15, 2017.
In dismissing the case December 14, 2017, Judge O’Grady granted a defense motion to suppress evidence gathered in the case. Such a motion is filed when a defense lawyer feels evidence was not collected or handled properly and that it’s inadmissible.
Branch County Sheriff’s Office deputies obtained a search warrant for the pole barn at 115 West Garfield Road, behind the Troullinos home.
Inside a portion of the pole barn, officers discovered an industrial-like operation with heating and cooling and massive grow lights. Also found were 66 buckets of newly planted marijuana.
Troullinos possessed cards of five medical marijuana users for which he could be a legal caregiver under Michigan law.
Under the law, a caregiver can possess 2.5 ounces per card holder or a total of 15 ounces.
