The Muskingum County Sheriff's Department is investigating one of the biggest pot finds in recent years, even bigger than Perry County's bust last August.
Muskingum County Sheriff Bob Stephenson says the department received information this afternoon that there was a large amount of marijuana plants growing in AEP-owned land. He says that the police department did an investigation and found the plants in Muskingum County, very close to the Perry County line.
"I've been involved in law enforcement in this area for 36 years and I've never seen a marijuana grow area such as this. It's really amazing what has been going on here," said Muskingum County Sheriff Bob Stephenson.
Stephenson says there were two to three campsites found so far where they believe about eight men were camping out. Wild game was found hanging around the campsite along with cut marijuana which was hung up to dry.
Stephenson believes the group aren't local.
"We estimate right now that there are between five to six different plots. One plot directly behind me had around 2,200 plants. They're estimating with all the plants here we think between 10 to 15 thousand. Average height, 8 to 10 feet."
Stephenson says each plant, at full growth, could be worth nearly $1,000. He says that if 10,000 plants are found, the street value would be about $100 million.
Perry County Sheriff William Barker says 7 people have been arrested in the investigation. Barker says right now they suspect have no direct connection to the pot, but deputies are working to tie fingerprints from this pot find to another one earlier this year in Perry County.
Many different police and fire departments and sheriff's offices from Perry and Muskingum counties have banded together to get all the plants out of the area. The departments are working with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation on the case.
Tonight the plants will be bundled and taken to Muskingum County's Evidence room where samples will be taken and identified.
Stephenson says he will have men all around the area to keep it secure overnight and work will continue early tomorrow morning. Check back tomorrow as more details become available.
Muskingum County Sheriff Bob Stephenson says the department received information this afternoon that there was a large amount of marijuana plants growing in AEP-owned land. He says that the police department did an investigation and found the plants in Muskingum County, very close to the Perry County line.
"I've been involved in law enforcement in this area for 36 years and I've never seen a marijuana grow area such as this. It's really amazing what has been going on here," said Muskingum County Sheriff Bob Stephenson.
Stephenson says there were two to three campsites found so far where they believe about eight men were camping out. Wild game was found hanging around the campsite along with cut marijuana which was hung up to dry.
Stephenson believes the group aren't local.
"We estimate right now that there are between five to six different plots. One plot directly behind me had around 2,200 plants. They're estimating with all the plants here we think between 10 to 15 thousand. Average height, 8 to 10 feet."
Stephenson says each plant, at full growth, could be worth nearly $1,000. He says that if 10,000 plants are found, the street value would be about $100 million.
Perry County Sheriff William Barker says 7 people have been arrested in the investigation. Barker says right now they suspect have no direct connection to the pot, but deputies are working to tie fingerprints from this pot find to another one earlier this year in Perry County.
Many different police and fire departments and sheriff's offices from Perry and Muskingum counties have banded together to get all the plants out of the area. The departments are working with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation on the case.
Tonight the plants will be bundled and taken to Muskingum County's Evidence room where samples will be taken and identified.
Stephenson says he will have men all around the area to keep it secure overnight and work will continue early tomorrow morning. Check back tomorrow as more details become available.
