Arial assistance from the National Guard helped a coordinated effort by several law enforcement agencies make a pair of arrests after a pair of marijuana grow operations were located near Oden and Story. According to reports filed at the Montgomery County Clerk’s Office, a coordinated effort which included the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, 18th West Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police, United Stated Forest Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Drug Enforcement Agency and the Arkansas National Guard conducted operations over Montgomery County, September 16, using an Arkansas National Guard helicopter to locate marijuana grow operations. According to the reports, two separate operations were discovered, one near Oden and one near Story. The reports state that in one instance 18th West Drug Task Force officers Mike May and Jeremy Lea responded to a call from the helicopter regarding an operation at a residence near Story. The home was the residence of Ricky Smith, age 63 of Story. The officers were given permission to search the property by Smith. During their search they discovered a significant amount of marijuana and paraphernalia. The officers allegedly confiscated 75 marijuana plants, three gallons of marijuana buds, a gallon bag of marijuana seeds, five small plastic baggies filled with marijuana, a wooden container with marijuana shake, four firearms, a digital scale, and other drug paraphernalia. Smith was taken into custody and placed on a $40,000 bond. He was charged with Manufacturing marijuana a schedule VI controlled substance, a class A felony, and possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, a class C felony. He was arraigned Tuesday, September 25. Bob Keeter sent a letter on his behalf, waiving formal arraignment. Pretrial was set by Judge Ryan for December 1, 2015 and a jury trial date was set for January 1, 2016. Smith is currently out on bail. The second arrest was made around 11:15 a.m., September 16. The reports state that members of the helicopter crew spotted a white male subject moving suspected marijuana plants to a chicken house at a residence near Oden. Montgomery County Sheriff David White and AG&FC Officer Brian Bailey responded to the call. When they arrived MCSO Deputy Chad Davis, and AG&FC Officers Greg Rae and Jessica Weatherford had made contact with Mark David Lebow, age 42 of Oden, at the residence. They were given consent by Lebow to search the property. The report reflects that DEA TFO Jacob Lawson and ASP Senior Corporal Jeff Ramsey were the first to make contact with Lebow. Six plants were allegedly confiscated, along with marijuana located in a first aid kit and in a coffee can found in the refrigerator. They also located a marijuana bud hanging from clothes pins. Lebow was charged with manufacturing marijuana a schedule VI controlled substance, a class C felony. Lebow is currently free on a $5,000 bond.
