OVER $700,000 IN MARIJUANAN PLANTS SEIZED IN AREA NEAR PLAIN VIEW

Sheriff's authorities have seized more than $700,000 worth of
marijuana after discovering hundreds of stalks, some measuring up to 7
feet in height, in a field in the Plain View community.

The commander of the sheriff's Special Investigation Division,
assigned to handle felony narcotics cases, said SID agents worked with
the office's newly-implemented gang unit in making the seizure
Wednesday afternoon. He said the marijuana was found off a dirt path
on the 8000 block of Timothy Road, well off of N.C. 55.

The field could not be seen from the roadway, authorities
said.

"We definitely had to drive to it and walk up on it," said the SID
commander, whose name is not released.

Sheriff's officials have estimated approximately "250 to 300 plants"
were seized as a result of the investigation, which extended for about
two weeks. It took four agents nearly five hours to remove the
marijuana stalks from the field Wednesday.

No arrests have been made in connection with the seizure. The
investigation is ongoing.

"It was a good bust," said Sheriff Jimmy Thornton. "It should show
people of this county that we have all drugs of choice."

The sheriff noted that the majority of SID efforts the past eight to
10 months has gone into investigating methamphetamine cases and
possible labs and dump sites for the drug.

"A lot of time has been dedicated to the meth problem," Thornton said.
That seems to have slowed down, which now allows us to devote more
time to the other drug activity. There's marijuana, cocaine and
ecstasy in this county. It's not just meth."

The marijuana stalks found by SID range in height from 3 to 7 feet
tall. The total marijuana seized has a street value of about $750,000,
according to the SID commander. He noted that all the plants were
female, saying that female marijuana plants tended to have a higher
concentration of THC, making them stronger when ingested.

Some of the seized plants are up to 2 years old, authorities
said.

SID authorities stressed that the investigation is still ongoing,
however arrests are not likely.

"You don't normally find the people once you locate the dope,"
Thornton remarked.

As he looked over the towering marijuana stalks, the sheriff, who once
estimated 95 percent of all crime could be traced back to drugs,
reflected on the bust.

"It's a serious problem," Thornton remarked. "Regardless of the busts
we've made in the last six years, it doesn't seem to end."