Officers seek farmer after finding pot

Daily American Republic

PIGGOTT, Ark. -- Authorities are looking for a Rector, Ark., farmer who is wanted on numerous drug charges after nearly 16 pounds of suspected marijuana were found at his residence.

Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole said Michael H. Faries, 49, is charged with possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, criminal intent to manufacture marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.

The charges stem from a domestic disturbance investigation involving Faries and his girlfriend Saturday afternoon, Cole said.

The Clay County Sheriff's Department received a call at about 4:10 p.m. Saturday saying there had been a disturbance at the couple's residence in the 1600 block of Highway 139, Cole said.

Deputies were advised there was a large amount of illegal drugs at the residence and in the sheds behind the residence, Cole said.

When deputies arrived, they found that Faries, who farms in the Blue Cane and Leonard area, had left the residence. Faries' girlfriend, Lori Bradford, was reportedly the only one at the residence.

Authorities seized suspected marijuana and several grams of suspected methamphetamine from the house and buildings behind the house, Cole said.

"What was found during the search confirmed what had been believed by law enforcement -- that Mr. Faries was a very large dealer of illegal drugs in the Clay County area," Cole said. "Mr. Faries has been under investigation for the last several months by the Clay County Sheriff's Department and the Second Judicial District Drug Task Force."

Bradford, 35, was arrested and booked at the Clay County Detention Center in Piggott.

Bradford was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, criminal intent to manufacture marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.

While at the Faries' residence, deputies also arrested Alvin Earls of Paragould, Ark., on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia.

"Mr. Earls' vehicle was parked at the Faries residence, and his arrest occurred when he returned to pick it up," Cole said.

Earls will also reportedly facie charges in Greene County stemming from the arrest and search warrant in Clay County, the sheriff said.