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 - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart