The stop sign at the corner of US 129 and Brannen Road north of O'Brien tells the tale of this marijuana seizure made by the Suwannee County Drug Task Force Aug. 31. Three people were arrested in the pot-growing operation inside a mobile home off Brannen Road, a pickup truck, bags of soil, grow lights, drums and other sophisticated equipment used to grow the highly priced pot were all confiscated by the Task Force, along with the valuable sensimellia marijuana that brings top dollar on the illegal market. Pictured with the pot are Suwannee County Sheriff Tony Cameron, left, Deputy Mary Ramirez, Lt. Tom Warren, unidentified person and Sgt. Robert Sammons after a good day's work.

The Suwannee County Drug Task Force has arrested three people and confiscated a pickup truck, equipment and about 200 marijuana plants valued at about $150,000 in a sophisticated marijuana growing operation off Brannen Road in the southern portion of Suwannee County.

Officers of the Task Force and Suwannee County Sheriff Tony Cameron served search warrants on the property Aug. 31 at 12376 196th Terrace, O’Brien after receiving an anonymous tip that the property was being used as a marijuana grow house.

Task Force officers found 197 plants growing inside a mobile home and on the property occupied by Rusty Lyn Cowell, 37, and Scott Denten Salmon, 41, according to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO)

Both Cowell and Salmon were booked into the Suwannee County Jail in charges of trafficking in cannabis and manufacturing cannabis. Bonds were initially set at $30,000, but after the count of the number of plants, the bond was raised to $100,000 each and an additional charge of conspiracy to traffick in cannabis was added for each defendant.

A third person, Laura Doreen Cannizzaro, 37, 12386 196th Terrace, was arrested Sept. 1 in the case. Cannizzaro was charged with trafficking in and cultivation of cannabis. She was released after posting bond.

After leaving the residence with the marijuana and equipment, the Task Force stopped for photos at the corner of US 129 and Brannen Road. A number of vehicles came by, slowed, and some drivers and occupants yelled out, “I see you found the source of that smell!” Two women stopped, jumped out and one took photos of the marijuana while they gleefully celebrated the seizure.

The seizure is one of the largest in recent years.

Susan K. Lamb may be reached by calling 1-386-362-1734 ext. 131 or by emailing susan.lamb@gaflnews.com.