ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, June 8, 1996                 TAG: 9606090056
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-4  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM 

TASK FORCE RAID LEADS TO MARIJUANA ARREST

The Rockbridge Regional Drug Task Force raided a 90-plant marijuana growing operation near Lexington on Thursday, apparently surprising the grower as he smoked some pot himself, officers said.

Larry Kevin Thompson, 43, of Lexington, was charged with manufacturing marijuana, a felony, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana, according to a Rockbridge Sheriff's Office news release. Police seized plants worth a total of about $90,000, as well as Thompson's car.

The task force, armed with a search warrant, saw a man come onto the property off Big Hill Road about 7 p.m. to care for the plants, the release said. Thompson was arrested as he left the property, smoking marijuana along the way, the release said. He also threw down a small bag of marijuana when police identified themselves, according to the release.

As of Friday night, Thompson was being held at the Rockbridge County Jail on $1,500 bond.

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