$2M IN POT PLANTS SEIZED IN PASQUOTANK

Nearly $2 million worth of marijuana plants were seized Tuesday during
a joint operation conducted by Pasquotank County Sheriff's deputies
and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Authorities recovered 953 plants from three plots in a forested area
in northern Pasquotank, according to the sheriff's office. Sheriff
Randy Cartwright said all three plots combined totalled less than an
acre. He said they are located not far apart from one another behind a
farm in a wooded area not far from Pasquotank's border with Camden
County. Sheriff's deputies uncovered the first plot from information
provided by an anonymous tip. Further information pointed to the
existence of another marijuana plot. Pasquotank-Camden Emergency
Management then contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, who contributed a
helicopter to the search effort. A deputy flying with the Coast Guard
then uncovered the additional two plots. Cartwright said deputies
trained in eradication operations knew to look for the plant's
distinct green color.

"It stands out even in a cornfield," he said. According to the
sheriff's office, the plants have a street value of $1,906,000. One
hundred twenty six plants were recovered from the first plot, 14 were
recovered from the second plot and 813 were recovered from the third.
Charges have not yet been filed and the sheriff's office declined to
name any suspects. Deputies are waiting for additional information
that may lead to an arrest, Cartwright said.

At least one property owner did not know that marijuana was being
grown on his land, he said.