BURKE INVESTIGATORS FIND MARIJUANA PLANTS

MORGANTON - A tip and one helicopter ride later, Burke County Narcotics
Task Force

investigators found 35 marijuana plants with a street value of
$91,000. Sgt. Rick Hasson said investigators found the plants on N.C.
18 South near Catawba County.

With the assistance of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the
investigators took to the air to look for the marijuana plants. Hasson
said investigators not only spotted the plants, but several people at
the location. Charges are pending.

The task force has found more than 200 marijuana plants in Burke
County since January, Hasson said.

He speculated that job losses are contributing to the number of people
willing to grow the illegal substance.

Hasson said some growers can no longer afford to buy marijuana or see
it as a way to supplement their income.