FruityBud
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Discoveries of huge marijuana fields in the Charlotte area have turned up some big numbers this summer. Police told Eyewitness News on Friday those growing operations may be moving indoors because of it.
This summer, deputies in Chester County have uprooted more than 15,000 marijuana plants worth roughly $30 million. Those growing operations were discovered in rural, wooded areas and were first spotted from helicopters.
In York County, it's been a different story this month. Scheduled eradication flights have turned up almost nothing.
Agents with the Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit said media coverage of the big finds in other counties have scared pot growers into hiding.
"I think the majority of people in York County are starting to realize, Hey, they're looking for this marijuana," said drug agent B.J. Kennedy. "They're starting to run these operations inside their houses, and it makes it tougher for us.
Recent drug seizures in York County back that theory up. Agents have found six small growing operations just in July. They're either found indoors or in backyards, close to homes. It's not the large fields they used to find.
Many of those arrested are caught with fewer than 20 plants. Often they're growing in a closet or added-on room with lights, timed watering devices and fertilizer.
"The plants are usually better quality when they're indoors," said drug unit commander Marvin Brown.
He said that's because they're grown in a tightly-controlled environment where people can monitor ph levels and control water and heat.
"They can be worth double the value of a plant that's grown outside," Brown said.
Unlike the large fields containing thousands of plants, people growing the drug at home are often working alone. They face lesser charges, too.
In South Carolina, a person must be caught with at least 100 marijuana plants to face trafficking charges. It's considered a violent crime and can put someone in jail for up to 10 years on a first offense.
A person caught growing pot at home would face a manufacturing charge, which carries up to five years in prison on a first offense.
Kennedy said they're getting more and more tips about indoor pot-growing operations, but neighbors sometimes call in too when they notice something's not right next door.
"They'll see bottles of fertilizer hanging around and a lot of potting soil, and the guy doesn't have a flower garden. They'll see blackened windows, and things like that," Kennedy said.
Drug agents expect to make more arrests in the coming weeks.
hxxp://shuurl.com/Y5965
This summer, deputies in Chester County have uprooted more than 15,000 marijuana plants worth roughly $30 million. Those growing operations were discovered in rural, wooded areas and were first spotted from helicopters.
In York County, it's been a different story this month. Scheduled eradication flights have turned up almost nothing.
Agents with the Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit said media coverage of the big finds in other counties have scared pot growers into hiding.
"I think the majority of people in York County are starting to realize, Hey, they're looking for this marijuana," said drug agent B.J. Kennedy. "They're starting to run these operations inside their houses, and it makes it tougher for us.
Recent drug seizures in York County back that theory up. Agents have found six small growing operations just in July. They're either found indoors or in backyards, close to homes. It's not the large fields they used to find.
Many of those arrested are caught with fewer than 20 plants. Often they're growing in a closet or added-on room with lights, timed watering devices and fertilizer.
"The plants are usually better quality when they're indoors," said drug unit commander Marvin Brown.
He said that's because they're grown in a tightly-controlled environment where people can monitor ph levels and control water and heat.
"They can be worth double the value of a plant that's grown outside," Brown said.
Unlike the large fields containing thousands of plants, people growing the drug at home are often working alone. They face lesser charges, too.
In South Carolina, a person must be caught with at least 100 marijuana plants to face trafficking charges. It's considered a violent crime and can put someone in jail for up to 10 years on a first offense.
A person caught growing pot at home would face a manufacturing charge, which carries up to five years in prison on a first offense.
Kennedy said they're getting more and more tips about indoor pot-growing operations, but neighbors sometimes call in too when they notice something's not right next door.
"They'll see bottles of fertilizer hanging around and a lot of potting soil, and the guy doesn't have a flower garden. They'll see blackened windows, and things like that," Kennedy said.
Drug agents expect to make more arrests in the coming weeks.
hxxp://shuurl.com/Y5965
