NORTH ANDOVER — An anonymous tip led police to a Pleasant Street house, where they found a marijuana growing operation inside, Detective Lt. Paul Gallagher said yesterday.
The owner of the home, identified as Alex Gioia, 44, of 106 Pleasant St., was arrested about 1 p.m. at the Andover Public Library, where he works as a custodian, police said.
Gallagher said police received the anonymous tip Monday from a citizen who told them of considerable foot traffic in and out of Gioia's single-family home, and that marijuana had been seen growing openly in the past in the backyard at the home.
North Andover drug detective Thomas Donovan and Andover drug detective Michael Lane obtained a search warrant for the home and conducted the search late yesterday morning.
Special Agent Todd Prough of the Drug Enforcement Administration was called in to assist with the search, Gallagher said.
He said Lane was called in to assist because Gioia is an Andover town employee.
Inside the house, police found 23 marijuana plants, each more than 3-feet tall, in a room specially designed for growing, with heaters, reflective surfaces and a humidifier, Gallagher said.
The search also turned up marijuana seeds, and a quantity of unknown pills, Gallagher said.
Pleasant Street is a quiet neighborhood of well-kept single and multifamily homes that runs off Chickering Road just north of the intersection with Main Street.
Yesterday afternoon, neighbors expressed surprise at the news of Gioia's arrest.
"He's a great guy, a hard worker and he'd help anybody with their car if it broke down," said one neighbor who declined to be identified. "He's a real stand-up guy."
He said Gioia had lived in the home for as long as he could remember.
"I've never seen marijuana growing in his backyard openly," the neighbor continued. "I know of no one who has a problem with him."
Another neighbor across the street said he only knew Gioia to wave to.
"I've never been in the house or anything," the man said.
Gioia was charged with possession and manufacturing marijuana with intent to distribute, Gallagher said.
But police could not immediately say whether Gioia was dealing the marijuana from home, he added.
"That part is still under investigation," Gallagher said.
Andover Town Manager Reginald "Buzz" Stapczynski said late yesterday that Gioia was placed on paid administrative leave from his $44,746-a-year job.
