Crime & Safety
Officers Seize $20K in Marijuana From Gilbert House
Four people were arrested and charged with manufacturing marijuana, according to the sheriff's department.
Officers confiscated 20 marijuana plants, about four pounds of marijuana and three firearms Monday at a house in Gilbert, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.
They also arrested three men who they say were running an outdoor grow operation at their house at 2540 U.S. 378, as well as a West Columbia woman who does not live at the house.
Kenneth Brandon Adams, 28, Jessie Ray Watts, 17, and Billy Joe Blackstone, 31, are each charged with manufacturing marijuana and possession of drugs with intent to distribute, according to the sheriff's department. An’Drea La’Von Black, 18, of Bradley Drive in West Columbia is facing the same charges.
Officers with the Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) went to the house on U.S. 378 around 3:30 p.m. Monday and found the outdoor marijuana growing operation, according to the sheriff's department. When they searched the house, they found an indoor growing operation, loose marijuana throughout the house and three firearms.
The value of all the marijuana the officers seized was about $20,000, according to the sheriff's department.
Adams, Watts, Blackstone, and Black are currently being held at the Lexington County Detention Center on bonds totaling $340,000.
Anyone with information about illegal drug activity in Lexington County should call the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at 803-785-8230 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
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