Combing seven acres of wooded terrain, vice officers from Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the State Bureau of Investigation and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, discovered a large quantity of marijuana hidden on property in the northern tip of Montgomery County. Officers also discovered a number of weapons on the property as well.
Located on Smith Farm Road, the area appeared to be used as a junkyard with three mobile homes on the property and numerous vehicles. Two of the mobile homes were occupied and a third appeared to be abandoned. Vehicles littered the yard, with most of them in non-working condition. Several outbuildings were also on the property as well. Boxes filled with what appeared to be flea market items filled one of the mobile homes and the outbuildings. All of these items made searching an extensive undertaking. Approximately 20 officers searched the vehicles, the mobile homes, the outbuildings and the wooded area.
Inside the residence of Thomas Earl Hobson, owner of the property, officers found marijuana in a number of locations. They also found weapons, items used for packaging marijuana and cash. Officers found marijuana packaged in one-pound bags in the vehicles and in army type canisters buried in the woods. Using the county’s drug dog, handler Daniel McIntyre was able to locate several canisters, containing approximately one-pound bags of marijuana each, buried in the woods. Young plants were also located in several of the vehicles.
Hobson, 45, is described as a mid level player selling to people in the surrounding areas. Vice officer Randy Binns said while this arrest is over, there will be more to come. Binns said his department has been watching some local players. “We have even gone so far as to warn a few people, but it appears their memory is short lived and they are right back to their old habits. We will show back up, but they can’t say I didn’t warn them.”
Hobson is charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana, possession of marijuana and manufacture of marijuana. He is being held under a $10,000 secured bond.
