SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Deputies Find 5 Marijuana Fields in Jay Area

On August 19, 2008 , at approximately 1400 hours, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Officers were lead to a wooded area off of Ard Field Road in Jay , Florida , in reference to the discovery of 4 marijuana fields. The fields were discovered by air after the Sheriff's Office requested the assistance of the Department of Environmental Protection (Law Enforcement Division) in making a flyover of the area after a tip had been received. The fields were visible from an airplane and GPS coordinates were sent to Santa Rosa Narcotics Officers who were present in the area. When narcotics officers arrived, they observed four separate fields which contained mature marijuana plants, some reaching 11 feet tall. The plants had been well cared for, and the land had been cultivated and tilled prior to planting. This location revealed 1,324 marijuana plants. All of the plants were cut down and taken to be destroyed. A fifth location was also discovered off of Mineral Springs Road in Jay, next to Coon Hill Cemetery . This field was similar to the others and contained 584 plants. They were also cut down and taken to be destroyed. The plants would have yielded an estimated $1.5 million to $2 million dollars in processed marijuana. No suspects are known at this time; however narcotics officers are continuing their investigation.

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net