Mississippi National Guard assists in drug bust

The biggest marijuana seizure in Mississippi in decades was carried out in August with the help of the Mississippi National Guard (MSNG), the Army said on its website.

On Aug. 12, 2017, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN) asked the National Guard Counterdrug Program for aerial reconnaissance of an area in Jefferson Davis County that later identified six fields and a large processing site, the release said. More than 20,000 marijuana plants were later confiscated in the operation.

"This is hands down the biggest marijuana grow operation we've seen in the state in probably 35-40 years," MBN Director John Dowdy said in the release.

The MBN is the state's main drug enforcer and utilizes the help of National Guard personnel to carry out large drug bust missions, the release said.

"The mission supported the nationwide and state Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program," Lt. Col. Gary Crist, MSNG Counterdrug Program coordinator, said in the release. "The Mississippi National Guard's Counterdrug Program stands ready to provide support to our law enforcement partners and communities to deter illicit narcotics activities in our state."




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