Huge Marijuana Operation Found In “Booby-Trapped” Stewart County Church
Credit for all images – Stewart County Sheriff’s Office / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
A search of a former Methodist church in Stewart County leads to the discovery of booby traps and a huge marijuana growing operation.
The Stewart County Sheriff’s Office reported that officers found approximately 2000 marijuana plants being grown in the Indian Mound church using a “very sophisticated growing environment, including elaborate growing and watering systems, all on times.” This is reportedly the largest bust in Stewart County history.
Officers stated that the building was also equipped with devices intended to keep intruders, or law enforcement, from entering. Authorities did not give specifics as to what those devices were.
“Officers were also slowed down in the search by the possibility of booby traps laid out for law enforcement,” the department stated.
The investigation began three weeks ago after police received reports from church neighbors of a “skunk-like stench” coming from the building. Officers first interviewed people who were seen entering and leaving the church, and then a search warrant was obtained.
They also pulled records regarding the electricity and water usage at the building. The electric bill for the property was about $3000 per month, and the water bill was unusually high as well.
Images released by the sheriff’s office show large cannabis plants growing, along with smaller plants in high-humidity transparent boxes.
Law enforcement officials burned the plants outdoors. They are continuing to clean up and investigate.
The building was previously a church but has been converted into a residential building. According to Zillow, it is a two-story home with four bedrooms and three baths. The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury reports that the last sale date was in 2021 to an individual named Xiuping Zeng.
Officers arrested one suspect and expect to arrest more as the investigation continues.
This has been happening in many rural states, where property is purchased by a single Chinese national who does not live locally and then converted into a large pot growing operation. I understand there may be legislation to prohibit these individuals from buying these properties, which we should support. I am tired of all the phone calls from Chinese speakers wanting to buy my house!
Not just cars wrecked, but families destroyed,businesses run unprofessional, adolescents brains stunted as they are smoking it before the brains are developed. Illegal is illegal. If we can’t learn from history we are doomed to repeat, yet people ok le to examine the damage caused by these things they think are harmless
I do understand the concern, lately, for China buying up land. However, the lettering on the church is Korean.
Get over it Tennessee and legalize it.
Many car wrecks are caused by weed. Legalizing it will only increase the usage. Look at California.