Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Supply man charged in marijuana operation

ASH, N.C. -- A Supply, N.C., man is under a $210,000 bond in Brunswick County jail on charges related to a marijuana growing operation in Brunswick County's Green Swamp.

William James Bruney, 54, of Ridge Forrest Drive SW, has been charged with two counts of trafficking marijuana and one count of possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana.

Sheriff John Ingram said a tip officers received as a result of publicity surrounding the discovery of the marijuana growing operation led to Burney's arrest. He said that the sheriff's department has evidence to tie Burney to the operation and that the investigation is still open.

"We believe at this point that he was acting alone in growing the marijuana," Ingram said.

The sheriff praised the work of his department's investigators that resulted in the arrest. He said on the day it was discovered that he believed there was little chance that anyone would be tied to the operation.

The operation consisted of large marijuana plants growing in about 20 big pots in a densely-wooded area of the swamp off Makatoka Road. In addition to the growing pots, which each had three or four plants in them, the operation also included two homemade tents, one of which was used to store supplies and the other to dry mature and heavily-budded plants.

There was also a pump nearby to deliver water to the plants.

Investigators found the operation after having received a tip from hunters. The area is so thickly-wooded that much of the operation could only be spotted from a helicopter.

The sheriff's office said that officers recovered 110 pounds of marijuana.