People who grow marijuana plants in Georgia and in other locations around the country typically try very hard to keep their growing operations concealed. However, sometimes, the growing operations are discovered, leading to serious legal situations for those involved. Recently, an indoor marijuana operation was reportedly discovered in a Gainesville residence. Nine individuals were arrested and now face a variety of drug charges.
An officer from the Hall County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad reported that over 500 marijuana plants were discovered in the home’s basement. The area had been turned into a greenhouse, according to officials. Evidently, this home was only one part of a larger operation in the northeast Georgia area. Police indicated that five additional houses had been searched as part of the investigation.
Searches of the homes purportedly revealed more than 1,500 marijuana plants and over 300 pounds of the substance, valued over $7.1 million. Police had received a tip in September regarding a suspected indoor growing location. The ensuing investigation led to the discovery of the supposed network of houses in the operation.
Nine individuals ranging in age from 25 to 53 years of age were arrested over a two-day period following the investigation. All of them have been charged with manufacturing and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The nine suspects also face charges of trafficking.
The severity of penalties for drug charges in Georgia can widely vary from fines to significant jail time. If someone is facing these types of charges, it would be wise to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney for guidance. An experienced lawyer will help a person understand the legal process and determine how best to proceed in developing a defense. A strong legal team will make every effort to ensure that a client’s rights are protected and that the negative impact on his or her life will be minimal.
Source: foxnews.com, “Major drug bust in affluent Georgia homes yields $7M in marijuana, 9 arrests, officials say“, Lucia I. Suarez Sang, Oct. 12, 2017