Three pot grow operations discovered in Gilmer Co.

ELLIJAY - Authorities discovered three marijuana grow operations during a flyover Thursday in Gilmer County, including one worth $15 million.

According to the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office, tips from citizens led authorities to two operations, one in the Old Parker Place Road area and the other on Brushy Top Road.

In the Brushy Top Road case, authorities said the homeowner, John Michael Wicker, was arrested after he started using gasoline to burn some of the plants as authorities flew overhead.

Officials said they spotted the largest operation on Highway 52 East near Southern Road, which contained nearly 13,000 marijuana plants with a street value of over $15 million. Two arrests were made in connection with that discovery.