Tip leads Towns Co. authorities to marijuana grow operation

HIAWASSEE - Acting on a tip they received last month, Towns County authorities found a marijuana grow operation near Hiawassee last week and arrested one suspect in the process.

Towns County Chief Deputy said in a statement released Monday Corporal Brandon Barrett, K9 Deputy with the Towns County Sheriff's Office, relayed the GPS coordinates to the Governor's Task Force and Appalachian Drug Task Force to be used during and air search of the Konahetah Road area.

During the search, investigators spotted what they believed to be marijuana growing in the back yard of a residence on Konahetah Road. A ground team consisting of ADTF agents, Department of Natural Resources Rangers and the Towns County K9 unit went to the scene to search further, according to Edge.

Authorities found seven suspected marijuana plants in the yard of the residence, and when they conducted a search inside the house, they found 26 additional pot plants. Also, authorities said they found a number of starter kits and items used for indoor growing.

Agents seized the 33 marijuana plants which they estimated had a street value of approximately $36,900.

Mark Anthony Woody, 45, of Hiawassee, was arrested at the scene and charged with Possession and Manufacture of Marijuana. At last report, Woody, who was on probation, was being held in the Towns County Detention Center awaiting bond.