Pot Grower Has Green Thumb : Man arrested with 278 pot plants

On Monday, July 15th, members of the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police, in conjunction with the Governor’s Initiative Against Narcotics Trafficking, located a large marijuana growing operation in southern Charlotte County.

The officers located 278 marijuana plants and approximately 6 pounds of processed marijuana. As officers approached the scene, two male subjects fled on foot.

Department of Corrections Officer T.J. Hathaway and his tracking canine, Hank, apprehended the subjects. Members of the Tri-County Task Force, Charlotte County Deputies, Charlotte County Tactical Team, the Virginia State Police Tactical Team, and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted Officer Hathaway in the capture of the suspects.

Both men were questioned. One was arrested at the location the other man was released pending investigation.

The Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force is a cooperative effort between the Virginia State Police, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office to combat illegal drugs.

Arrested was Jackie Eugene Lewis, age 36 of Newtown Road in Randolph, Va. Lewis was charged with one count of the sale or distribution of marijuana, a felony, and one count of possession of a gun with a schedule I or II drug, also a felony.

Lewis is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, July 18 at 8:30 a.m.

A spokesman for the task force stated, “Additional arrests and charges are expected in the case.”

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information on drug trafficking or distribution to call 434-542-5141 or the Virginia State Police at 1-800-553-DOPE.