Law Enforcement Officials Seize Over $1 Million in Marijuana

September 10, 2010

Lexington County law enforcement recently received a tip concerning a large marijuana grow operation located in a remote swamp area off of Highway 178 near Pelion. As the site was not accessible by any vehicle, the Narcotics Enforcement Team, a multi-agency team from Lexington County, used aircraft surveillance to view the area prior to the raid.

No one was at the scene and no arrests have been made. Officials believe the area was abandoned shortly after the surveillance began. Nearly 2,000 plants were seized and police estimate the total value of the operation at $1 million. Law enforcement officials say the owner of the property did not have any knowledge of the operation.

The Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) combines the resources of numerous agencies in Lexington County. It was created in 2001 to combat the sale and use of illegal drugs throughout the county by using undercover and other covert operations. This particular bust was one of the largest in NET's history.

As the NET demonstrates, law enforcement officials have numerous resources at their disposal. For those charged with drug crimes or possession, it is important to have similar resources available to protect their rights and interests.

The Fourth Amendment guarantees certain protections; among them is the right against unreasonable searches and seizures. In some cases, it may be possible to find instances where the police did not follow proper procedures and have any evidence collected as a result excluded from use against the defendant at trial.

However, determining whether law enforcement officials over-stepped their authority is a complex process. If you are charged with drug distribution or possession, it is important to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney to make sure your rights are protected.

Article provided by Monckton Law Firm, P.A.
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