The Polk DTF seized more than 1,700 plants after overflights of the county to find pot fields
More than 1,700 marijuana plants found, destroyed by cops; pair arrested after single plant found in garden
Polk County Drug Task Force agents working with state officers using helicopters were able to seize more than 1,700 plants over a week and make two arrests.
According to Chief Deputy Jonathan Blackmon with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a combined effort was made to search for and clear marijuana fields with the Governor’s Task Force Drug Suppression Unit in overflights last week over Polk County.
Blackmon said that two people were arrested in Polk County, and 8 firearms were seized in arrests last week when officers found a single marijuana plant growing in the garden of one local couple.
Eric Jason Smith, 34, Cedartown, and Magen Amber Smith, 28, were arrested on August 2 by the Drug Task Force on charges of purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of marijuana, possession of firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies, felony purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of marijuana, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. Eric Smith was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or first offender.
The pair were arrested after their plant was spotted during the overflights and police underwent ground surveillance to find the house and garden off Antioch Road.
A total of 1,781 plants were found across 12 different grow sites just in Polk County alone, or $3.5 million in estimated street value based on the cost of a pound of marijuana as determined by law enforcement.
Sites were found off Adams Road, Roy Road, Lewis Road, Paris Mountain Road, Hightower Falls Road, and Collard Valley Road.
Many of the grow sites were located on land used as hunting clubs, Blackmon said.
Blackmon said he was thankful for the help of the Governor’s Task Force, under the command of Capt. Keith Canup.
The plants were gathered up and destroyed late last week at the Sheriff’s Office by deputies serving on the drug task force after the plants were gathered and tallied by officers in the Cedartown area.