KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen | High-flying police operation helps nab pot grower

High-flying police operation helps nab pot grower

by Patrick Tolbert

GATESVILLE - A Coryell County man is in police custody after officers in a DPS helicopter spotted a marijuana plant growing in his backyard.

David Don Bradley, 30, was arrested Monday on charges of possession of marijuana in a school free zone as a result of the high flying police operation.

Acting on a tip, Gatesville Police and Coryell County deputies called on Department of Public Safety pilots to help fly over the county to help spot suspected pot farmers.

As the helicopter flew over Gatesville, deputies onboard spotted a marijuana plant growing in the backyard of a house on the 100 block of Elm Street. As they watched the house from above, deputies say a man cut the plant down, tried to hide it and got into his car and sped off.

Officers stopped the car and identified Bradley as the driver. Officers found a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia while searching his car.

At the same time his car was being searched, officers descended upon Bradley's house where they found two marijuana plants.

Bradley is charged with Possession of Marijuana over 4 Ounces but Under 5 Pounds, in a Drug Free Zone, which is a 3^rd Degree Felony. 

Bradley's home is within 1000 feet of a nearby school.