GBI Makes Arrests in Indoor Marijuana Grow Investigation in Schley County

Ellaville, GA (September 15, 2020) – On Wednesday, September 9, 2020, the GBI arrested Doyle Tudhope, 24, of Bradenton, FL, and charged him with Manufacturing Marijuana. This arrest comes after the investigation of an indoor marijuana grow operation on property that Tudhope owns at 1507 Stewart Road in Ellaville, Schley County, GA.

On Friday, June 19, 2020, the GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office (SWRDEO) was requested to investigate by the GBI Region 3 Office and the Schley County Sheriff’s Office after Schley County deputies responded to 1507 Stewart Road from complaints about marijuana being grown on the property. A search warrant was executed by the GBI Special Enforcement Team, supplemented by the Schley County Sheriff’s Office, GBI Region 3, and the SWRDEO. During the search warrant, agents discovered a sophisticated indoor marijuana grow inside of the residence. Over 20 LED “grow lights,” along with timers and humidifiers were set up inside of the residence to aid in the growing process. Agents seized 307 marijuana plants during the search warrant. Agents further discovered materials that aided in the growing process, to include a book on how to grow marijuana.

At the time of the search warrant on June 19, Tudhope was not at the residence and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Ronney Yassein, 28, of Orlando, FL, was located at the property at the time of the search warrant and was arrested and charged with Manufacturing Marijuana.

The GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office is in Albany and services 41 counties in Southwest Georgia. The office is a collaborative effort between the GBI, Albany Police Department, Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, Dougherty County Police Department, Turner County Sheriff’s Office, and Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office, and is partially funded with Byrne/JAG grant funds.