Authorities bust large-scale marijuana grow operation in Laclede County

A Missouri National Guard helicopter fly-over helped authorities bust a large-scale marijuana grow operation near Eldridge.

Laclede County Sheriff Wayne Merritt said investigators in the helicopter Wednesday morning spotted what looked like a cluster of marijuana plants on a farm on Junction County Road in Eldridge.

The sheriff's office then obtained a warrant and searched the property on Wednesday afternoon.

Merritt said deputies recovered 2,215 grams of processed marijuana, 3,810 marijuana plants in different stages of growth, seven guns and $3,490 cash.

The street value of the marijuana, according to Merritt, is about $14,000.

Merritt said this is the largest marijuana grow operation he's encountered in his 35 years of law enforcement in Laclede County.

Two people were arrested in connection with the seizure: Jerry Parrish, 48, and Allen Crumrine, 47.

Parrish and Crumrine have been charged with second-degree drug trafficking.