Pubdate: Tue, 28 Aug 2001
Source: Herald, The (SC)
Copyright: 2001 The Herald
Contact:  http://www.heraldonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/369
Author: Jason Cato, The Herald

HELICOPTER SPOTS MARIJUANA IN CHESTER

CHESTER -"Law enforcement officials in Chester County confiscated nearly 
200 marijuana plants over the weekend after a helicopter surveillance 
operation led police to two different locations.

Officers confiscated 182 8-foot to 12-foot plants from two locations on 
Armenia and Hinton roads. The plants were reported to have a value of $900 
to $1,200 apiece.

Officers with the Drug Enforcement Unit made the seizures Friday afternoon, 
said Lt. Charles Crank of the Chester County Sheriff's Office.

No arrests have been made, Crank said, but investigations are under way.

"We have an active campaign with drugs," Crank said. "We're being more 
aggressive in finding drugs and making arrests."

Crank said that he does not think Chester County has a bigger drug problem 
than other counties, but authorities can't solve the problem by themselves.

"We want to make the public aware that a problem does exist, and it's not 
going to go away without some help," Crank said.

Crackdown on drugs

He said more operations are planned to continue cracking down on drugs in 
the county.

Earlier this summer, the sheriff's office arrested nearly 90 people in 
Operation Genesis, a sting operation that targeted people for drug-related 
charges.

Sheriff Robby Benson made increased drug enforcement a major part of his 
platform when he ran for office last year.

"We're going to be using every resource possible to fight the drug problem 
in Chester County," he said.

The State Law Enforcement Division helped with the operation by supplying 
the helicopter and "spotters" to locate the marijuana fields.

Contact Jason Cato at 329-4071 or  28 Aug 2001
Source: Rock Hill Herald (SC)
Author: Jason Cato
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart