It may mean a form of organized crime has arrived in southeastern Ohio.
On Sunday, Perry County sheriff's deputies, responding to a separate call in a remote, isolated area of Perry County near the Muskingum County line, arrested seven men thought to be Mexican Nationals.
The next day an agent of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification flying in a helicopter detected five apparent plots of marijuana growing in a heavily wooded area of Muskingum County and close to the area where the Mexicans were arrested.
Once investigators from BCI and the Muskingum County and Perry County sheriff's offices arrived on the ground at the sites, they discovered 5,074 marijuana plants. Their estimated street value was more than $5 million.
They also found several tents, food items, clothing, water sources and personal items suggesting the individuals cultivating the plants were living at each plot.
"The set ups at these sites had many similarities to the large plot of marijuana plants discovered in Perry County on Aug. 1," Perry County Sheriff William R. Barker said.
"It's probably more than coincidence, but the investigation is ongoing," Scott Duff said. Duff is the BCI special agent supervisor in the clandestine drug lab/cannabis suppression unit.
(jlowe@daily-jeff.com)
http://www.daily-jeff.com/news/simple_article/4433884
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Mexican Nationals arrested in 'pot' growing operation likened by lawmen as organized crime
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