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After two investigations, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop I has arrested three individuals involving the cultivation of marijuana near Phelps County.

At 12:30 p.m. Sept. 12, troopers assigned to the Troop I Marijuana Eradication team, located cultivated marijuana plants approximately five miles north of Dixon, near Highway 68, in Maries County. Troopers located the marijuana from the air and found it had been growing on a resident’s property.

The owner of the property, Michael R. Davis, 45, gave his consent for troopers to search further, and they found seven marijuana plants, processed marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Davis was arrested for the manufacturing of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Just four days later, troopers, along with officers from the Missouri State Water Patrol and Crawford County Sheriff’s Department arrested two Crawford County residents on similar drug charges.

At 8 p.m. Sept. 16, a search warrant was served at the residence of Joanne M. Gillan, 52, of Davisville, as a result of evidence she was growing marijuana. A total of 25 marijuana plants, processed marijuana, and other drug-related items were located during the investigation.

Gillam was arrested for manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Also living at the Gillan home was Brock A. Snyder, 25. Snyder was arrested for manufacturing marijuana, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The investigation revealed that Snyder also was in possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Sgt. Dan Crain, Public Information and Education Officer for Troop I, said in the past Missouri has been one state leading the nation in marijuana cultivation.

“I’m not sure where we rank now, but Missouri has been one of the leading states in manufacturing marijuana,” Crain said.

Crain said most patches of marijuana growth today are not as large as they used to be.

“They don’t grow typically large fields like they used to because they want to hide it,” Crain said.

Crain said in addition to a smaller patches, there are more people growing marijuana inside compared to 20 years ago in attempt to hide it from law enforcement. He said the bottom line is that marijuana is illegal despite the amount people are growing or where is it grown.

Once law-enforcement officers find marijuana, Crain said the drug is seized as evidence. After the drug is used as evidence, there is a court order for it to be destroyed. Crain said the marijuana, like other evidence needing to be destroyed, is burned in a furnace.

Crain said it is the goal of the MSHP and other law-enforcement agencies to catch those who are growing marijuana and eradicate the problem.

“Marijuana is a major problem with youth,” Crain said. “This is a drug with serious effects. It’s a gateway drug to more serious drugs.”

Crain said hopefully, law enforcement can help take care of the problem and eradicate it.



News Hawk- User http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: Rolla Daily News
Author: Melissa Cotter
Contact: The Rolla Daily News - Front
Copyright: 2007
Website: The Rolla Daily News - News