News (Media Awareness Project) - US NC: More Than 15,000 Marijuana Plants Found In Wayne |
| Title: | US NC: More Than 15,000 Marijuana Plants Found In Wayne |
| Published On: | 2006-06-04 |
| Source: | Goldsboro News-Argus (NC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-14 03:25:51 |
15,000 MARIJUANA PLANTS FOUND IN WAYNE
Helicopters flew over sections of western Wayne County throughout the
day Friday guiding law enforcement officers to one of the largest
marijuana seizures in the county's history.
The aerial search resulted in the location of 15,284 plants ranging
in size from just a few inches to nearly 4 feet, said Lt. Tom Effler
of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
"It's pretty common to find smaller plots, but this is the largest
amount of plants we've ever seen," Effler said.
The search began at 9:30 a.m. Friday when officers found a large plot
of marijuana plants near Black Jack Church Road and four smaller
plots near Ferry Bridge Road.
Sheriff Carey Winders said if the plants would have grown to
maturity, the street value would have been more than $36.5 million.
The amount of plants makes it the largest marijuana raid in Wayne
County history and the largest reported in North Carolina this year.
"I am proud that we were able to stop this drug from hitting the
streets of Wayne County and North Carolina. We are continuously
vigilant toward any type of drug problems on our streets or what
could reach our communities. This is a prime example of teamwork
between several agencies and departments, pooling their resources
together for a good cause," Winders said.
A sheriff's helicopter, a National Guard helicopter and a State
Bureau of Investigations plane joined the search and assisted the
sheriff's search and rescue team, volunteers and the Goldsboro-Wayne
drug squad in finding the plants, Effler said.
Officers wouldn't have been able to get to the marijuana plots
without the assistance of the state forestry department, whose plow
allowed access to the plants near Ferry Bridge Road.
Effler said the Sheriff's Office finds large marijuana plots through
tips from informants or locating the plants using available
helicopters. He did not specify which method led investigators to the
marijuana plots.
Authorities have not determined who grew the plants, but Effler said
an investigation is under way.
Helicopters flew over sections of western Wayne County throughout the
day Friday guiding law enforcement officers to one of the largest
marijuana seizures in the county's history.
The aerial search resulted in the location of 15,284 plants ranging
in size from just a few inches to nearly 4 feet, said Lt. Tom Effler
of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
"It's pretty common to find smaller plots, but this is the largest
amount of plants we've ever seen," Effler said.
The search began at 9:30 a.m. Friday when officers found a large plot
of marijuana plants near Black Jack Church Road and four smaller
plots near Ferry Bridge Road.
Sheriff Carey Winders said if the plants would have grown to
maturity, the street value would have been more than $36.5 million.
The amount of plants makes it the largest marijuana raid in Wayne
County history and the largest reported in North Carolina this year.
"I am proud that we were able to stop this drug from hitting the
streets of Wayne County and North Carolina. We are continuously
vigilant toward any type of drug problems on our streets or what
could reach our communities. This is a prime example of teamwork
between several agencies and departments, pooling their resources
together for a good cause," Winders said.
A sheriff's helicopter, a National Guard helicopter and a State
Bureau of Investigations plane joined the search and assisted the
sheriff's search and rescue team, volunteers and the Goldsboro-Wayne
drug squad in finding the plants, Effler said.
Officers wouldn't have been able to get to the marijuana plots
without the assistance of the state forestry department, whose plow
allowed access to the plants near Ferry Bridge Road.
Effler said the Sheriff's Office finds large marijuana plots through
tips from informants or locating the plants using available
helicopters. He did not specify which method led investigators to the
marijuana plots.
Authorities have not determined who grew the plants, but Effler said
an investigation is under way.
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