DEPUTIES UPROOT 70 POT PLANTS

PEMBROKE - At least one Robeson grower won't have to worry about
harvesting his crop.

Sheriff's investigators did it for him this week when they cut down
about 70 marijuana plants in the Pembroke/Maxton area.

Now they would like to help the grower reap what he sowed.

Drug agents submitted photographs of the marijuana to The Robesonian
and hope someone might call with a tip that could lead to an arrest.

Drug agents working with an eye in the sky - a state Highway Patrol
helicopter - spotted the marijuana plants in a field Tuesday.
Sheriff's Lt. Charlie Revels said the plants were in an area between
Pembroke and Maxton, but would not say more because the investigation
is ongoing.

Revels said the plants measured from 5 to 12 feet tall. He estimated
their street value of $64,000.

It's a dent in some of the dealers manufacturing the drugs in Robeson
County because they seized it before it was put on the streets,"
Sheriff Kenneth Sealey said.

The plants are being kept as evidence. The Sheriff's Office will
eventually destroy the marijuana by burning it..