LEBANON -- This week's aerial search of farm fields in Warren County resulted in the seizure of 80 marijuana plants. Ted Hart, a spokesman for the Ohio Attorney General's Office, said Thursday, Aug. 19 that a total of 82 plants have been seized in Warren County so far in 2010. "The plants are worth about $1,000 when they are full grown," he said. "We found about $80,000 worth." He said no other information about the seizures or any arrests was available, as the investigation is ongoing. Last year, there were 93 marijuana plants found in various sweeps in Warren County, he said. Hart said agents from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification, along with county and local law enforcement agencies, conduct outdoor marijuana eradication efforts around the state. He said the marijuana eradication program is totally funded by a federal grant and includes efforts in most Ohio counties. Hart said Ohio received a $480,000 grant for its 2010 program, which is conducted in the summer and fall. He said 75 percent of the grant will be used to cover helicopter contract costs for the aerial sweeps. Residents in the Springboro area and in northern Warren County said there were a number of sheriff's cruisers in the area and helicopters in the air on Tuesday. Earlier this week, John Burke, commander of the Warren County Drug Task Force, said helicopters are used to fly over fields to spot the distinctive green color of marijuana plants and direct teams on the ground to those spots to remove the plants. BCI agents say that often, the property owner claims to be unaware that someone is growing marijuana on their land. According to the attorney general's office, more than 20,000 plants have been seized in more than a dozen Ohio counties since this year's program started in late July. The BCI said in 2009, 48,051 plants were seized; 40,158 plants were seized in 2008; and 37,835 were seized in 2007. In addition, there have been 50 arrests and more than 45 weapons seized, according to BCI records. According to estimates by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, one mature plant can produce one kilo, or about 2.2 pounds, of marijuana. Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4504 or erichter@coxohio.com.
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