GEORGETOWN, SC (WBTW) – The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that deputies, along with the 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit, arrested two people and seized over 200 marijuana plants from a growing operation.
David Thompkins and Ariel Cook were both arrested Thursday at a home on Highmarket Street after investigators served a search warrant, according to the press release from the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.
Cook was charged with manufacturing marijuana and unlawful conduct toward a child. Cook’s 2-year-old daughter was in the home when they were arrested and the house was searched.
Thompkins was charged with driving under suspension, failure to stop for blue lights, manufacturing marijuana and receiving stolen goods.
Investigators originally tried to arrest Thompkins in January, but he ran from law enforcement when they tried to pull his car over. When they tried to arrest him Thursday, they “made several observations that led them to believe drug activity was occurring at the home,” and obtained a search warrant.
When agents searched the home, they discovered a grow operation that included the house, an outbuilding, a trailer in the yard and the woods behind the home.
“Over 200 marijuana plants, in various stages of maturity, were found along with approximately two and a half pounds of marijuana being prepared for sale. Various items, believed to be stolen, were also recovered from the home along with cash and drug packaging materials,” the media release said.
Thompkins also reportedly installed a video surveillance system and had a “combat shotgun with a laser sight positioned for easy access.”
Both suspects are being held at the Georgetown County Detention Center.
