Drug Task Force nets $140,000 in marijuana in latest bust of pot fields near Cedartown

Two people were arrested late last week following months of investigations into two plots of marijuana being tended in in the northwest corner of Polk County near Cedartown.

Ralph Smith, deputy commander of the Polk County Drug Task Force, said that an anonymous tip months back put police on a path to find the fields. One off of Highway 100 near Lime Springs Church, and the other off Highway 100 near Friendship Road.

Both locations were raided and 140 plants were seized between the two spots, where Smith said $140,000 in marijuana was seized.

“We started watching the grows several months ago, to see who were headed to them or responsible for them,” Smith said. “Once we identified the suspects coming in and out, we made the arrest and collected the evidence.”

On July 15, Randy Van Earley, 57, of a 545 W. John Hand Road, Cedartown, and Carl Wayne Forsyth, 67, of 4170 Treat Mountain Road, Cedartown, were taken into custody and jailed in the evening.

Earley faces six counts of purchase possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of marijuana and remained in jail on a $135,100 bond.

Forsyth faces three counts of the same charges and remained in jail as of press time Monday on a $90,100 bond.

Smith said they are working to apprehend a third suspect in the case as well.