SOUTH KINGSTOWN — A dog breeder accused of growing marijuana in his Green Hill home continues to be held without bail after appearing yesterday in District Court.

Police searched Kevin White’s 248 Holly Rd. home Friday afternoon after thermal imaging cameras showed earlier in the week that he might be cultivating marijuana inside, Capt. Jeffrey Allen said.

Officers found pots, fertilizer, lamps and about 15 plants in various stages of growth in the basement as well as 11 pounds of marijuana packaged in bricks throughout the house, Allen said.

“It was evident to us he was a significant drug dealer,” he said. “We believe he was bringing it in from elsewhere.”

No one was home during the search. Police took White into custody away from his house after the animal control officer spotted him driving. “It couldn’t have worked out any better,” Allen said.

Officers obtained search warrants for the use of the cameras — which reveal heat from grow lamps — and the search itself, he said. Westerly and Charlestown police assisted in the investigation, which spanned about two weeks.

White, 44, appeared before Judge William C. Clifton yesterday to faces charges that he possessed more than 5 kilograms of marijuana with the intent to deliver; possessed 1 to 5 kilograms with intent to deliver; and possessed a firearm — a handgun — while committing a crime of violence. Possession with intent to deliver is a crime of violence under state law.

In addition, police charged White with possessing about an eighth of an ounce of cocaine after searching his car, Allen said. He did not enter pleas because the charges are felonies.

White was ordered held without bail after his arraignment before at the Adult Correctional Institutions for violating the terms of his bail for an assault charge.

One week earlier police charged him with assault and disorderly conduct after he allegedly punched and bit a man who he said owed him $100 for a dog.

Clifton continued to hold him without bail yesterday and scheduled a bail hearing for Feb. 6.

Animal Control Officer Robert Wilson turned 14 dogs — including a French mastiff, a boxer, and a number of pugs — and a rabbit over to the South Kingstown Pound following White’s arrest Friday. Wilson said White’s family members had contacted him about getting back the dogs, which are in good condition.

White was at odds with his neighbors last fall. In November, the Zoning Board ordered him to stop selling puppies from his home because retail sales were not permitted in the residential zone. He told the board at the time that he was unable to work because of an injury and that he sold the dogs to supplement his “very limited” income.

kmulvane@projo.com