On June 15, 2010 investigators with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Task Force, and the 12th Judicial District Drug Task Force executed a Federal Search Warrant on a residence that is located on Sweetwater Road in Whitwell, TN. The execution of the search warrant is part of a two year investigation that involved the manufacturing of marijuana. During the search of the residence investigators seized thousands of dollars worth of marijuana growing equipment, several firearms, and 60 marijuana plants. The marijuana plants were set up and growing in two bedrooms inside of the residence. Based on the evidence it appeared that the marijuana plants had been started utilizing a hydroponic grow system and then transferred into regular containers in order to complete the growing process. The hydroponic system requires specialized equipment and allows for the plants to grow faster than they would under normal conditions.
The investigation began in the summer of 2008 after marijuana plants were cut from property next to the Sequatchie River near Whitwell. The plants were spotted by a helicopter which is used by the Governor’s Marijuana Eradication Task Force.
At this time no arrests have been made in this case due to the fact that the investigation is ongoing. At the conclusion of the investigation the case will be presented to a Federal Grand Jury in Chattanooga to determine what charges will be filled.
