TASK FORCE SEARCH NETS 50 MARIJUANA PLANTS, NO ARRESTS

MARION -- Marion Metropolitan Drug Task Force investigators searched
an East Barks Road residence Friday morning and found about 50
marijuana plants, according to Marion County Sheriff's Chief Deputy
Tim Bailey.

He said no arrests have been made and refused to release the suspect's
name and address because the case remains under investigation. The
case will go before the Marion County Grand Jury on Wednesday.

The plants were found in an indoor greenhouse that Bailey described as
elaborate and sophisticated with controls for carbon dioxide infusion,
irrigation, temperature, humidity and lighting.

Bailey, a pilot and supervisor of the sheriff's aviation program, said
aircrews have noticed a marked decrease in the number of marijuana
plants seized statewide and believes the number of indoor locations
have increased. He said the growers are relying on indoor greenhouses
to camouflage the activity and avoid discovery, forcing law
enforcement to rely on tips.

The MARMET Task Force is a joint drug enforcement task force of the
sheriff's office, Marion Police Department and Marion County
Prosecutor's Office.