Gainesville man charged with growing marijuana in vegetable gardens

GAINESVILLE - A Gainesville man has been jailed after Hall County drug agents found more than 80 marijuana plants growing in his backyard vegetable gardens.<br /> <br /> Initially, animal control officers were called to property in the 3500 block of Dorsey Drive to investigate reports of cock fighting. When they arrived at the site Wednesday afternoon, the officers said they seized a number of roosters and apparatus typically used in bird fighting. <br /> <br /> Lt. Scott Ware with Hall County's Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad said the animal control officers also spotted marijuana growing behind two homes on the property. Ware said that's when drug agents were called to the scene.<br /> <br /> "Each garden spot contained vegetables, such as corn, tomatoes and marijuana," said Ware.<br /> <br /> Ware said a total of 82 marijuana plants were harvested at the scene. In addition, agents found some processed marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a 12-gauge shotgun.<br /> <br /> Ware said the estimated street value of the marijuana was $164,000.<br /> <br /> The suspect in the case, 47-year-old James Timothy Ragan, was arrested without incident. Ware said Ragan was charged with manufacturing marijuana, felony possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. <br /> <br /> Ragan was also charged with owning or possessing animal or fowl for the intent to engage it in animal fighting and owning of possessing tools of cock fighting, according to Mike Ledford, Director of Hall County Animal Control.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />

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