Chopper crew finds 3 pot fields in busts in Oklahoma and Lincoln counties

By Michael Kimball

Published: August 18, 2008

An Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control helicopter crew discovered three marijuana fields Friday, one near Interstate 35 and E Memorial Road and two in rural Lincoln County, bureau spokesman Mark Woodward said.

A spotter on the chopper discovered about 490 plants in the Edmond field, Woodward said.

The marijuana appeared to be growing wild, but the helicopter destroyed the plants from the air with a chemical spray.

Authorities arrested David Ray Price, 47, in connection with 50 marijuana plants spotted by the helicopter two hours later, Woodward said. The plants were about 200 yards from his trailer near Tryon and had a sophisticated irrigation system.

Officials also seized 20 rifles and 10 handguns from Price's home, Woodward said.

Price was booked into the Lincoln County jail on complaints of cultivating marijuana and possession of a firearm while committing a felony.

Bail had not been set Sunday.

The second Lincoln County field was found about 10 miles east of Price's trailer home, Woodward said.

That field contained 116 plants and an irrigation system.

The finds were part of a summer-long program using helicopters and trained spotters to locate marijuana fields, Woodward said.

Authorities have destroyed more than 10,000 cultivated marijuana plants and seized 65 weapons, making 15 arrests so far.

During a traffic stop, officers found about 90 pounds of marijuana in two vehicles, police Lt. Todd Palmer said.

After interviewing the suspects, police conducted a search on an eastside Lawton home and found more marijuana, cash and weapons.

In all, police seized 149 pounds of marijuana, $37,000 in cash, three vehicles, a firearm, two flat-screen televisions and a large digital scale, Palmer said.

The number of people arrested and their identities were not available Sunday.

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