Marijuana eradication

The community of residents in the Qualla Road area in Hayesville were caught by surprise Monday afternoon when they noticed a helicopter flying over head with men dropping down on ropes. It’s not exactly the daily routine in a pint-sized mountain town. 

Clay County Sheriff Bobby Deese confirmed Tuesday that the operation of two helicopters was part of a routine fly over search for marijuana usually conducted by local sheriff’s office investigators and State Bureau of Investigation agents two to three times per year. This year the agencies involved also included National Guard personnel with military grade guns in hand. Deese explained this is customary weaponry for the National Guard Special Response Team to be carrying. One helicopter was flying a crew while the second served as a spotter. 

The day’s search resulted in a 39-plant marijuana eradication all from a single property.

Commenting on the nature of the marijuana search, Deese said, We usually just go in with a machete and a bag and cut it down ourselves.”

No arrest had been made as of Wednesday morning and Deese suggested the matter would likely go before a grand jury on indictment rather than an arrest on a warrant. “It might be another month and a half before we charge somebody,” said Deese.

Local resident Lucy Jones reported a helicopter landing in her field across from Old Dyre Drive that afternoon. 

“I had no idea what was going on,” said Jones, who watched the helicopter stay in the field for 10-15 minutes while people were filming some kind of video while landed. Residents of Shooting Creek also reported helicopter sightings in their community.

While no one has been officially charged, Deese says his staff has several leads on who is involved.

“People overlook marijuana these days, but it is still illegal in North Carolina and we will charge people accordingly,” said Deese.