DOC DRUG SPECIALIST ARRESTED FOR GROWING MARIJUANA

A woman arrested for having $52,000 in marijuana plants in her home is a
drug inspection specialist with the Florida Department of Corrections,
officials said.

Part of Sylvia Akridge's job is to search prisons for illegal drugs and
paraphernelia and other contraband, usually showing up unannounced,
officials said.

Department of Corrections spokeswoman Debbie Buchanan said she didn't know
whether Akridge was growing marijuana for the prisoners or passing along
the drugs to inmates. Inspectors can have direct contact with prisoners,
and also have access to their cells, Buchanan said.

Buchanan also said she wasn't aware of any problems with inspectors
providing drugs to inmates.

The arrest wasn't prison-related, said Rick Zenuch, commander of the
special investigation division.

Akridge, 36, was arrested last week by officers from the Gainesville
Special Investigation Division, along with husband Alan, 36.

Officers found 52 plants, valued at $1,000 each, in a utility room in
Akridge's home, as well as more than 20 grams of marijuana drying in the
sun outside, police said.

High-powered growing lamps and other drug paraphernalia were discovered in
the room as well. Akridge faces two felony counts, one for cultivation of
marijuana and another for possession of marijuana over 20 grams.

Akridge, who has worked for DOC since 1986, is a senior drug interdiction
specialist with the department, Buchanan said.