As fall rolls around, authorities in Virginia begin to increase their patrols and response to marijuana growing operations. Recently, the Virginia Stat Police, working in conjunction with the Nelson County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia National Guard, made several arrests related to the growth and sale of marijuana.
A Nellysford man was arrested on two felony counts of selling and distributing marijuana, two felony counts of receiving or buying stolen goods valued more than $200, a misdemeanor obstruction of justice without force and a misdemeanor resisting arrest.
The man, Daniel Watson of Nellysford, Va., attempted to destroy the crops when Virginia State Police flew overhead to investigate his garden. Law enforcement agencies were conducing eradication flights over Nelson County and southern Albermale County when they spotted the patch of plants. Reports show that officers recovered 65 plants from Watson's property, valued at almost $200,000.
In addition to this bust, State Police also found 209 marijuana plants growing in a patch of wooded forest in Shipman. The value of these plants was estimated at $620,000. No arrests have been made in connection with this bust.
Watson was set to appear in Nelson County General District on September 8. At the time of this report there was no word as to whether the man had obtained legal help.