KSP finds 84 pot plants at Virgie home

By Russ Cassady Staff Writer

A Virgie man was arrested Wednesday after police allegedly found 84 marijuana plants behind his residence.

According to the arrest citation, Johnny Smith Jr., 55, of Anderson Fork, was arrested at his residence at about 1:15 p.m. on charges of first-degree cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana and first-degree possession of marijuana.

Each year, the Kentucky State Police sends spotters out in National Guard aircraft to search for marijuana growing operations.

The case against Smith resulted from a spotter finding the operation at Virgie, according to Sgt. Jim Ingram, with KSP’s Marijuana Suppression Branch.

“The Kentucky Marijuana Strike Force spotter ... observed some plants growing around Mr. Smith’s residence,” Ingram said. “Then the spotter directed the ground forces into the area, made contact with Mr. Smith and located the total of 84 plants.”

Ingram said samples were taken from the marijuana and sent to the laboratory for testing

“The evidence that was obtained there at the scene to implicate Mr. Smith as the grower, that’s why the arrest came about so quickly,” he said.

Ingram said anyone who has information on the possible location of marijuana growing operations can call the Kentucky State Police’s hotline at 1-800-DOPE-TIP (1-800-367-3847). Callers can remain anonymous, he said.

Smith was lodged in the Pike County Detention Center.