Massive marijuana grow operation with ‘booby traps’ discovered in Tennessee church
Recently in Tennessee, law enforcement uncovered a massive marijuana grow operation concealed within a church. The Stewart County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the 23rd Judicial Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant at the church on Highway 46 in Indian Mound, bringing to light an elaborate operation.
The investigation was initiated after neighbors reported an unusual smell emanating from the church, leading to suspicions about illicit activities. Originally built as a Methodist Church, the property had been repurposed as a new place of worship. Interviews with individuals seen frequenting the church suggested hemp cultivation, but further scrutiny of the electric and water bills revealed anomalies.
The property’s electric bill, totaling about $3,000 a month, raised red flags, prompting a meticulous investigation. Concerns about potential booby traps extended the duration of the operation. Upon executing the search warrant, law enforcement discovered approximately 2,000 plants, indicating a sophisticated and substantial operation.
Sheriff Frankie Gray emphasized that this was not a casual or fleeting endeavor. One person is in custody, and additional arrests are anticipated as the investigation unfolds. The case underscores the extent to which illicit operations can disguise themselves within unsuspecting locations, posing challenges for law enforcement in their pursuit of justice.