Two locations; street value estimated at $286k
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with the National Guard and N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to fly helicopters over Polk County in search of illegal marijuana fields.
The operation, which involved three National Guard helicopters Wednesday, July 20, resulted in the seizure of 286 marijuana plants, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
One outdoor grow operation was discovered and seized in the Hwy. 176 area of Tryon. Another was discovered and seized from the Fork Creek Road area of Saluda, according to the sheriff’s office. The Saluda Police Department also assisted in the Saluda seizure.
No arrests have yet been made. Sheriff’s officers said charges are possible, including  felony manufacturing marijuana, felony possession of marijuana and felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana.
Each marijuana plant is estimated at a street value of $1,000, making the seizure estimated at $286,000, according to the sheriff’s office.