Police find more than 200 marijuana plants in Little River bust

A Little River man and woman were arrested last week after police discovered more 200 marijuana plants growing in a home, along with 40 pounds of loose marijuana and guns.

Michael David Spangler, 54, of Little River, is charged with trafficking marijuana, 100 pounds or more, according to police.

Julie C. Branham, 46, of Little River, is also charged with trafficking marijuana, 100 pounds or more, authorities said.

On Feb. 18, Horry County police detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Lafayette Circle in the Little River area after obtaining information that residents were growing marijuana in a home, Lt. Raul Denis, spokesman with Horry County police, said.

During the execution of the warrant, police found 216 marijuana plants, an estimated 40 pounds of loose marijuana, two rifles, and one handgun, authorities said.

Both Spangler and Branham were released from the J. Reuben Long Detention Center and put on home detention, according to jail records.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 4:25 PM with the headline "Police find more than 200 marijuana plants in Little River bust."