ERADICATION TEAM HAS POT LUCK

Helicopters swarmed the skies of Jackson County the last four days in search
of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, or more commonly known as marijuana.

The Alabama Governors Marijuana Eradication team hit the sky with two
Alabama State Trooper helicopters Sunday and searched through
Wednesday for the plants.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Department Chief
Investigator Chuck Phillips and Capt. Tommy Holt, only a total of 50
plants were found throughout the county during the search.

"Seven plants were found in Fackler area," Holt said, "Another nine
were found in Stevenson. Seven of those were found behind a trailer
park, another two were found behind a trailer."

Phillips said the others were found in the Langston and Skyline area
Wednesday.

The search resulted in one misdemeanor arrest.

According to Phillips, the plants ranged from one foot to 18 inches in
height.

"The plants are not mature," Phillips said. "This is a little early in
the growing season. If these plants were allowed to mature, they would
have been worth approximately $2,000 each this fall."

The Alabama State Troopers, Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the
Jackson County Sheriff's Department participated in the
eradication.