FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Dean
R. Argo (334) 213-6330
Pike County Couple Arrested for Marijuana
Trafficking
State and local law
enforcement agencies this week arrested a Pike County couple for trafficking
marijuana in what authorities called one of the county’s largest drug busts.
The Alabama Department of Public Safety, Pike County Sheriff’s Office and
members of the ABC’s Moonshine Task Force worked together on the case.
Luther Clinton Green and
Ramona Ann Vester, both of Banks, were taken into custody and charged with
trafficking in marijuana after investigators founds more than 200 marijuana
plants growing in the couple’s yard and home. A pilot with the Alabama
Department of Public Safety’s Aviation Unit spotted the plants and alerted ABC
Agents, who coordinated the arrests with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office.
State and local authorities
executed a search warrant on the property, which is located at 654 Pike County
Road 6642, in the Banks Community, about ten miles east of Troy. Agents found 195 plants ranging in height
from a few inches to more than 7 feet tall growing in the yard. Inside the
residence, investigators discovered a growing facility containing 18 small
plants and dried marijuana.
Lieutenant Bob Williamson of
the Pike County Sheriff’s Office estimated the plants’ value at $2,000 a piece,
which in this case amounts to $426,000. “As far as plants around and inside the
residence, this is probably one of the largest ones I’ve ever been involved in
investigating,” said Williamson.
Also, in a nearby storage
building, agents seized 13 shotguns and high-powered rifles and four large
light stands, typically used for growing marijuana indoors. Pike County
Sheriff’s deputies will determine whether any of weapons are stolen property or
have been used in any other illegal activity.
The ABC agents are assigned
to the Board’s Moonshine Task Force that investigates tips, develops leads, and
are skilled in tracking and following trails that are often associated with
this type of illegal operation. Anyone with any information about these or any
other illegal activities is encouraged to call the ABC Board Hotline at 1-800-327-7341.
Cash awards are available for information that leads to an arrest and
conviction.
-30-