The Selma Times-Journal

An aerial sweep for drug crops has landed one suspect.

Dallas County deputies arrested John Clibrey, 46, late Tuesday afternoon and charged him with unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Officers spotted marijuana plants growing at 224 Ida Lane off County Road 63 while conducting the search from a helicopter.

“We went to the residence and got in contact with the owner,” Capt. Roy Freine of the sheriff’s department said. “He arrived at the residence and gave us consent to search the area.”

The search produced 11 marijuana plants and a half ounce of marijuana believed bought on the street. Officers also confiscated 17 weapons, which included shotguns, rifles and pistols.

Authorities arrested Clibrey and booked him into the Dallas County Jail. Late Wednesday, the suspect posted $16,500 bond on both charges and left the jail.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, one typical plant produces one pound of marijuana in a year. The grower would see a profit of about $2,800 from one plant.

Authorities believe the marijuana would have resulted in a profit of about $30,800 on the street, that’s about $8,000 less than the U.S. Census Bureau estimated Alabama median annual income or $1,000 more than a new teacher with a bachelor’s degree instructing in an Alabama classroom this year.

In 2007, law enforcement seized more than 1,994 pounds of marijuana – more than triple that of any other drug.

DEA research also show marijuana is the most used and distributed drug in Alabama.