A home at 241 Longview Dr. in Rossville, Ga. was raided by the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force Monday where an estimated $250,000 worth of marijuana plants were found.
Marijuana buds sit on a coffee table in a home at 241 Longview Dr. in Rossville, Ga. The home was raided by the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force Monday where an estimated $250,000 worth of marijuana plants were found.Three men were arrested on Monday, accused of turning a Rossville house into a quarter-million dollar marijuana operation.
Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force agents raided the home off Longview Drive and found more than 200 plants of all sizes, from seedling to processed marijuana ready for sale, officials said.
"Its been one of the biggest indoor operations in this decade [in the county]," said Drug Task Force Interim Commander Patrick Doyle.
As part of the investigation, Benjamin Valdes, 30; Juan Valladares, 30; and Felix Valdes Jr., 32, were arrested, said Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.
All three men face charges of possession of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute, Wilson said.
Authorities believe the men had been growing marijuana inside the house for about a year, Doyle said.
Benjamin Valdes had been investigated months ago, but had left the county and gone to Florida, Doyle said. When agents learned he was back in Walker County, they began another investigation, he said.
When authorities tried to serve an arrest warrant on Benjamin Valdes on Monday, he tried to run, but he was caught and arrested along with Valladares and Felix Valdes, Doyle said.
The investigation is ongoing.
Contact staff writer Joy Lukachick at jlukachick@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.