Franklin County, GA - On April 30, 2018, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement, South Carolina’s State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and Georgia’s Department of Public Safety executed search warrants in Georgia and South Carolina.  This was a four month joint investigation into a sophisticated marijuana grow operation that is believed to have operated for approximately five years on an abandoned dairy farm in rural Franklin County. 

Franklin County Authorities raided a fortified concrete structure that had reinforced doors with key pad entry along with a state of the art alarm and surveillance system.  Franklin County Authorities found 556 marijuana plants in various stages of growth along with an elaborate watering and lighting system that was attached to tracks suspended from the ceiling.  These tracks allowed the lighting system to move and evenly distribute light and heat to each plant.  The lights were controlled by a timer. Some of the plants were hydrated through an automatic system and some had to be watered by hand (see attached photos).

SLED and Oconee County Sheriff’s Office then executed a search warrant at Wesley B. Lothery’s residence in Fair Play, South Carolina.  South Carolina authorities found 9 marijuana plants along with various items used in a grow operation. This investigation revealed Lothery to be the caretaker of the marijuana grow operation in Georgia.  Lothery is charged in South Carolina with manufacturing marijuana and possession of a controlled substance (Loritab).  Lothery will also be charged in Georgia with trafficking and manufacturing marijuana. Lothery was transported to the Oconee County South Carolina Detention Center.

The street value of the marijuana plants is $565,000.  Georgia authorities have also seized 3 financial accounts associated with this investigation.  This is an active investigation and additional arrests are expected.             

The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Jackson County and Franklin County, along with the Cleveland Police Department, Lavonia Police Department, Toccoa Police Department, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Mitchell Posey - Special Agent in Charge | ARDEO | (706) 348-7410

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