Large marijuana bust in Mobile County

CHUNCHULA, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile County Sheriff's Narcotics Division made a large marijuana bust Friday, Oct. 19. Authorities  said they believe the suspects were running a major drug harvesting operation.

"Well, this is the supplier right here. We’ve got 100 plants back here that have dried and try are ready to be packaged and sold,” said Myles.

Myles also said there were more than 150 potted plants on the 16 acre property, owned by the suspects. Marijuana was packed into plastic bags and cardboard boxes were filled with the drug. And they say more plans were growing, deeper in the field.

 Authorities said the suspects ran a sophisticated operation.

"They have all their cultivation tools and supplies and a generator, firearms,” said Narcotics Commander Rassie Smith.

Authorities believe the drugs were worth tens of thousands of dollars. Myles said they received an anonymous tip about the growing operation.

“The interesting thing about this case is that it just came over the website today. This morning, in the early morning hours; then I was able to forward it over to narcotics,” said Myles.

The Mobile County Narcotics Unit worked with a state trooper’s helicopter, to pinpoint the location. Authorities say they spotted the suspects harvesting the drug from the air.

“They spotted them out here working and they attempted to flee and we were able to kind of corral them in and caught them,” said Smith.

Authorities arrested five people, and they say will face charges including drug trafficking.