CLEVELAND, Ga. – Deputies with the White County Sheriff’s Office and Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) assisted the Governor’s Task Force/Drug Suppression unit Tuesday in conducting an operation that located three separate marijuana crops and confiscated marijuana with a total street value of $18,000.

The Governor’s Task Force has a primary responsibility to eradicate domestic marijuana within the state of Georgia and gather intelligence relating to its manufacture and cultivation.

White County authorities executed a search warrant at Lamar Yawn’s residence at 728 White Oak Trial in Cleveland and found five marijuana plants along with less than an ounce of marijuana inside the residence.

Yawn was charged with manufacturing marijuana and agreed to turn himself in at the White County Detention Center today.

A search warrant was executed at Christopher Richards’ residence at 100 Rattlesnake Hill in Cleveland which produced six marijuana plants, 1.5 lbs. of cultivated marijuana, a handgun and $12,000 cash.

Richards was arrested for manufacturing marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He was transported to the White County Detention Center.

White County authorities also seized five marijuana plants found in the wood line on Town Creek Road and continue to investigate this marijuana grow to determine who is responsible.

For additional information about Appalachian ARDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.