FWC catches alleged dope grower

A Washington County man has been arrested and charged with felony cultivation of marijuana and trespass.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission law enforcement officers arrested Jeffrey Ray Creel, 38, Chipley, earlier this week and charged him with two felony counts of marijuana cultivation after locating 53 marijuana plants in the Greenhead area.

The plants averaged 6 feet in height and have a street value of approximately $53,000.

FWC Lt. Hampton Yates said a Forest and Lakes property landowner was on the Washington County tract July 28 when he saw a person run from the area and leave in a red truck.

FWC officers collected evidence at the scene and located 44 marijuana plants. They found nine additional plants at another location in the county.