FruityBud
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The seizure of more than 400 pounds of marijuana in Columbus highlights a growing drug problem expected to pick up pace as summer draws near, police said.
Eight people were arrested Thursday night in a raid by several agencies in the middle of a residential neighborhood on South Cherry Street, 6News' Renee Jameson reported.
"It just blows my mind because everything's always been pretty quiet on this side of the street here," said neighbor Shane Wade. "For it to be this close to home, it's surprising."
Investigators also recovered $30,000 in cash and numerous weapons from the suspected grow house. The drugs found in the home had a street value of more than $500,000, authorities said.
Indoor marijuana operations have been busted in every part of the state, but police said the problem is about to get worse, as growers move their plants outdoors.
The state police eradication unit uses three helicopters to try and spot marijuana, often planted in farmers' fields or wooded areas.
"This shows where they've destroyed the crop of corn and they've planted their marijuana plants inside here," said Sgt. Lou Perras, pointing at an aerial picture taken last summer.
He said finding the outdoor operations can be dangerous on the ground.
"These people take it serious. There's been known to have booby traps on plots occasionally," Perras said. "It's very easy for people to obtain out on the street and it's very profitable for people to grow."
The state police program is funded through the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the seizures of illegal drugs. Anyone with information about a pot growing operation, indoors or outdoors, is asked to call police.
The Columbus bust was sparked by a call from a concerned resident. More arrests are expected in that case.
hxxp://shuurl.com/S4855
Eight people were arrested Thursday night in a raid by several agencies in the middle of a residential neighborhood on South Cherry Street, 6News' Renee Jameson reported.
"It just blows my mind because everything's always been pretty quiet on this side of the street here," said neighbor Shane Wade. "For it to be this close to home, it's surprising."
Investigators also recovered $30,000 in cash and numerous weapons from the suspected grow house. The drugs found in the home had a street value of more than $500,000, authorities said.
Indoor marijuana operations have been busted in every part of the state, but police said the problem is about to get worse, as growers move their plants outdoors.
The state police eradication unit uses three helicopters to try and spot marijuana, often planted in farmers' fields or wooded areas.
"This shows where they've destroyed the crop of corn and they've planted their marijuana plants inside here," said Sgt. Lou Perras, pointing at an aerial picture taken last summer.
He said finding the outdoor operations can be dangerous on the ground.
"These people take it serious. There's been known to have booby traps on plots occasionally," Perras said. "It's very easy for people to obtain out on the street and it's very profitable for people to grow."
The state police program is funded through the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the seizures of illegal drugs. Anyone with information about a pot growing operation, indoors or outdoors, is asked to call police.
The Columbus bust was sparked by a call from a concerned resident. More arrests are expected in that case.
hxxp://shuurl.com/S4855
