Law enforcement teams on St. Croix executing search warrants on the homes of two Estate Rattan men in relation to a burglary case discovered a marijuana-growing operation.

Virgin Islands Police Department spokeswoman Melody Rames said in a release that at 6 a.m. Wednesday, officers executed search warrants on the homes of Mitchell Matthew and Scott Bass.

During the execution of the warrants, Rames said numerous items of "evidentiary value" were recovered relating to a June burglary at Harbour View housing community. Both Matthew and Bass were charged with the robbery after the searches.

Bass, 36, and Matthew, 37, went into an apartment at the housing community June 23 and assaulted a man and a woman in the apartment, according to Rames.

Wednesday's search at Matthew's home uncovered two areas where marijuana was being grown and a firearm with an obliterated serial number, Rames said.

Rames said the first marijuana cultivation was located inside a dwelling in Matthew's home and was supported by air-conditioning and lighting units capable of creating artificial sunlight.

The second marijuana crop was located at the rear of Matthew's home. Members of the Water and Power Revenue Protection Unit were asked to come to Matthew's home to determine if power was being stolen from the lines in order to support the cultivation, Rames said.

Police did not give an estimated value of the marijuana plants.

The marijuana and gun cases have been referred to the members of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency who were on the scene to process drug evidence.

Bass and Matthew were arrested on a charge of first-degree burglary and are being held on $150,000 bail.

The two are scheduled to make their initial appearance in V.I. Superior Court today to be advised of their rights on the charges.

Rames said drug and gun charges are pending.

- Contact reporter Corliss Smithen at 774-8772 ext 302 or e-mail csmithen@dailynews.vi.