[Sativa]

A six-week investigation into the origin of a patch of marijuana plants found in Buchanan State Forest resulted in the arrest of a Chambersburg man Friday.

According to information released to Public Opinion Monday, Ralph M. Logan, 52, of 391 Elder St., was arrested at 8:30 a.m. Friday by a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Ranger on Broad Mountain Road in Letterkenny Township. Logan's arrest came after officers saw him tending to a patch of marijuana plants in Buchanan State Forest after a six-week investigation.

"This arrest is a prime example of what can be accomplished when a concerned citizen and multiple agencies work together as a team toward the goal of eliminating the illegal drug activity in this country," said DCNR Ranger Greg Eitner.

DCNR Rangers were notified of the plants by a person who found the eight plants growing in the forest about a month and a half ago. Eitner said that the eight plants, which were spread over a quarter of an acre of land and were hidden among other plants, have a street value of about $8,000. The area was placed on round-the-clock surveillance and Logan was eventually identified as the person tending to the plants.

Eitner said that Logan was arrested when he arrived at the forest to water the plants.

"He definitely maintained them almost daily," Eitner said.

Following his arrest, Logan's home was searched by members of the Chambersburg Police Department's Crime Impact Team

and Canine Unit, the Franklin County Drug Task Force and the District Attorney's office. Officers recovered about 21/2 ounces of processed marijuana with a value of about $400, several sets of scales, a bag of Miracle Gro, drug paraphernalia and four firearms.

Logan is charged with manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a small amount of marijuana, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and scattering rubbish.

He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Kelly Rock and released on his own recognizance. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 11.

Eitner said that it's common for marijuana plants to be found planted in state forest land. He said at least once a year plants are either found by rangers or brought to their attention by others. However, this is one of the first times surveillance has resulted in an arrest.

"We've found marijuana almost every year and we've never arrested anyone for it," Eitner said.



News Hawk- User http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: Chambersburg Public Opinion
Author: KEITH PARADISE
Contact: Chambersburg Public Opinion - Home
Copyright: Public Opinion
Website: Chambersburg Public Opinion - Marijuana plants found