The Virginian-Pilot 
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, August 31, 1995              TAG: 9508310414
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD                         LENGTH: Short :   25 lines

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN DRUG RAID

State police on Wednesday reported they have raided a marijuana patch in the Benn's Church area of Isle of Wight County, and have arrested a suspect.

The raid took place on Friday after a monthlong investigation, police said. Troopers confiscated 25 marijuana plants in a wooded area behind St. Luke's Cemetery.

The plants had grown to an average of feet and had the potential to be worth $25,000, police said.

Edward C. West Jr., 25, of Smithfield, was arrested and charged with manufacturing marijuana. Possible additional charges are pending, police said.

KEYWORDS: ARREST DRUGS ILLEGAL by CNB