Sweep nets 53 pot plants in Middleton

EAST PALESTINE -- Law enforcement agencies conducted a marijuana eradication sweep Thursday with the help of a helicopter from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Some 53 plants were seized on property near a house on Scotts-Mill Road in Middleton Township.
Police said they found 18 more plants on the property, which includes the house, and found marijuana and crack smoking devices inside the house.
Charges are pending against the man who lives there.
Thirty-five more plants were seized from East Palestine and Unity Township.
Law enforcement officials say each plant at maturity produces $1,000 worth of marijuana.
Agencies taking part were the Columbiana County Drug Task Force, the sheriff's office, St. Clair and Liverpool township police, East Palestine police, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.