April 20, 2022 1:30 p.m.

Monday evening, detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team executed a search warrant on rural property in Azalea and located an illegal marijuana operation.

DINT Commander Lieutenant Rick McArthur said detectives seized 1,702 marijuana plants and approximately 23.5 pounds of processed marijuana. McArthur said four high end vehicles that were seemingly hidden or stashed on the property were located as well. A closer investigation revealed that all had switched VIN plates. The counterfeit VIN plates were high quality forgeries that were difficult to detect. McArthur said a check of the real VIN’s showed that all the vehicles had been stolen out of the state of Florida.

The stolen vehicles were a BMW X6, a Maserati, a Ranger Rover, and a Bentley and all were late model versions. McArthur said the types of vehicles, the sophistication and quality of the switched VINS and the fact that they were all stolen from clear across the country all indicate a level of sophistication that is well above the average criminal activity.

McArthur said this seizure is another example of the rise in crime that has been seen in Douglas County, brought by the criminal organizations that are here for the purpose of growing illegal marijuana.

McArthur said the Douglas County Commissioners have formed a marijuana enforcement task force under the umbrella of DINT, to investigate and eradicate these illegal operations as well as the associated crime. McArthur said increased funding has helped DINT to make an immediate impact on these organized activities, including this particular case.

A worker at the site, a 24-year old man from Salinas, California was cited and released for unlawful possession and manufacture of marijuana.