Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force
Press Release
Incident: Search and Seizure Warrant
Date/Time: 8/20/15 @ 0700 hours
Location: 31001 Chesterville Bridge Road Chesterville, (Kent) MD
Suspects: Pending
Charges: Manufacture of marijuana
Possession of marijuana
Possession of paraphernalia
CDS Seized: 714 adult marijuana plants 6-10 feet tall with a street value of approximately $1,450,000.00.
Synopsis: During the middle of August 2015 members of the Maryland State Police discovered a possible outdoor marijuana grow in the area of Chesterville Bridge Road, Chesterville, and (Kent) Maryland. Based on the complexity of the operation the Queen Anne’s County Drug Task force was requested to assist the Kent County Narcotics Task Force by spearheading this investigation. Investigators learned that the property had been abandoned several years earlier and that the 15 acre property, to include a large home and numerous outbuildings had been sitting vacant and was only occasionally visited by family members, who live in Delaware. The property was overgrown and the home had been entirely covered in plywood.
Several days of surveillance did not reveal anyone coming or going from the home or property. A knock and announce search warrant was obtained and on 8/20/15 at approximately 0700 hours the Kent and Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Forces assisted by the Talbot County Narcotics Task Force, the Maryland State Police S.T.A.T.E team, the Maryland State Police Marijuana Eradication unit, the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police Centreville Barrack, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police and an investigator from Homeland Security Investigations made forcible entry into the home after announcing their presence.
A search of the home revealed an indoor grow location in the basement where the marijuana plants had been started before they were moved outside. It also revealed a small amount of processed marijuana, a heat sealer and multiple gallon plastic bags along with the personal belonging from two suspects and it appeared that they were being dropped on the property for the express purpose of cultivating marijuana.
A Pit Bull had been placed at the entrance to the marijuana fields to discourage entry onto the rear of the property. Investigators borrowed a backhoe from a neighboring farm to be able to gain access to all of the marijuana plots. A search of the property revealed 714 adult marijuana plants ranging from 6-10 feet in height. The plants were well cared for and had a homemade irrigation and fertilizer system in place. Many of the plants were of an exotic variety and were only several weeks away from being harvested. The plants have an estimated street value of approximately $1,450,000.00.
Animal control responded for the dog and has already been adopted.
Several strong leads were developed during the search warrant and the investigation into the grower of the marijuana is continuing.