RITCHIE SEIZES MARIJUANA PLANTS

HARRISVILLE - Authorities seized 726 marijuana plants from three
locations in Ritchie County this week resulting in the eradication of
$1,815,000 worth of the illegal substance.

The seizure was the result of helicopter flyovers conducted Monday,
said Sgt. E.E. Ashcraft of the Harrisville detachment of the West
Virginia State Police. No arrests have been made, but at least two are
pending from the investigation, he said.

Ashcraft said police believe the three plots were not connected. He
declined to say where the plants were growing.

The marijuana plots were spotted from the air by a West Virginia Army
National Guard helicopter, Ashcraft said. Once officers in the air
spotted the plants, they directed ground crews to the areas. The
helicopter crew was able to spot the drugs despite heavy storms that
pounded the area Monday.

Officers used ATVs where possible, but ultimately had to trek through
heavy underbrush on foot to reach the plants, Ashcraft said.

The three plots were not in easily accessible areas.

Last year, law enforcement officials encountered several plots that
were boobytrapped, Ashcraft said. None of the marijuana plots
eradicated this year were trapped, he said.

The plants found Monday ranged in height from 16 inches to 5 feet
tall. They were in various stages of maturity.

Each plant has a street value of about $2,500, he said. Police will
retain some of the plants as evidence and destroy the rest, Ashcraft
said.

The seizure was made possible by cooperation among Ritchie County law
enforcement agencies, Ashcraft said.

The state police works closely with the Ritchie County Sheriff's
Department, the Division of Natural Resources, the Pennsboro Police
Department and the National Guard to form the Ritchie County Drug
Eradication and Crime Fighting Team, he said.

The departments pool resources and manpower to eliminate marijuana in
the county.

Ashcraft said the team is in its infancy, but the departments are
getting organized and hope to continue to combat drug trafficking in
the area.

Historically, Ritchie County ranks about fifth in the state for the
amount of marijuana discovered by law enforcement officials, Ashcraft
said.

Authorities are certain that the pot grown inside the county is
consumed there or in surrounding areas.

The largest number of plants found in Ritchie County was 3,000 plants
located in one area in 1999, Ashcraft said.

Before Monday's seizure, the eradication team had confiscated 65
plants from eight other plots this year, Ashcraft said. The recent
find brings the total number of plants seized to 791 for a total value
of $1,977,500.

Many more seizures are expected, Ashcraft said.

Once suspects are arrested, state and federal charges could be filed.
There also is a possibility of property seizures, Ashcraft said.
Ashcraft said the marijuana growing season coincides with other
growing seasons. Plants can be grown almost anywhere, but most are
located deep in the forest areas.

Those who suspect marijuana is being grown in their area should
contact local law enforcement. All calls will remain confidential,
Ashcraft said.

Troopers will follow up on any lead they are given, he
said.