CLERMONT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
A. J. Rodenberg, Jr., Sheriff
"Leadership By Example"
Office (513) 732-7500
Press Release
To: All Media
From: Sheriff A. J. “Tim” Rodenberg Jr.
Clermont County Sheriff
Subject: Marijuana Eradication Program
Date: July 31, 2007
On Monday July 30, 2007, the Clermont County Narcotics Unit, began an air and ground effort to eradicate growing marijuana plants prior to the harvest season. Law enforcement uses a variety of resources to search open areas for plants, which are approximately two-thirds through their growing season. Plants range from four to eight feet in height, and are valued at approximately $1,000 per healthy plant. Deputies investigate all circumstances of each discovery hoping to develop enough information to charge those responsible for cultivating the plants, which is a felony. Once the plants are seized, they are destroyed, preventing distribution of the finished product.
Helicopters and all-terrain vehicles were used in Monday’s effort. County wide, 343 plants were seized: Eleven in Union Township, 66 in Stonelick Township and 266 in Washington Township. This year’s eradication operation yielded significantly more plants than in recent years. In 2006 we seized 125 plants, and in 2005 195 plants.
Narcotics Unit agents continue to search Clermont County for growing operations and ask the public to call the Clermont County Narcotics Unit at 625-2806 or the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office at 732-7500 to report any suspected marijuana cultivation or distribution.
Agents of Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (B.C.I. & I.) assisted in this operation along with officers from Union Township Police Department, the Milford Police Department and the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office. The Clermont County Narcotics Unit is under the direction and management of the Clermont County Sheriff.