Historic discovery in Stewart county, Tennessee, exposes largest Marijuana grow operation in county’s history

In a surprising turn of events, police in Stewart County, Tennessee, stumbled upon what is being dubbed as the largest marijuana grow operation in the county’s history inside a former Methodist church. The discovery, made during a search warrant execution by the Sheriff’s Office, TBI, and the 23rd Judicial Task Force, revealed approximately 2,000 plants thriving in a sophisticated growing environment.

The former church, located at 1758 Hwy.46 in Indian Mound and currently listed for sale, housed an elaborate setup, including advanced growing and watering systems operating on timers. The police reported encountering a substantial amount of potentially toxic chemicals during their search. Moreover, the investigation was complicated by the presence of booby traps, raising concerns for law enforcement safety.

The Stewart County Sheriff’s Office launched a three-week-long investigation following complaints from nearby residents about an unusual smell emanating from the property. The operation is estimated to have cost the growers a staggering $3,000 a month in energy bills.

As of the latest update, one person is in custody, and others are wanted for questioning. The investigation remains ongoing.

Commending the efforts of the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office, community members took to Facebook to express their gratitude for shutting down the illicit operation. Despite the legalization of cannabis in several U.S. states, Tennessee has yet to follow suit. While marijuana remains illegal, hemp, containing less than 0.3 percent THC, is legal in the state.