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  • Drug Task Force Detective Lawson Guthrie, Chief Investigator Justin Scott and Stephens County Sheriff's Deputy Randy Kittrell begin dismantling the planted marijuana plants outside the Stephens County Courthouse Thursday afternoon. The plants were seized after a search warrant was executed by the Drug Task Force. Toni Hopper

    Busted

  • Drug Task Force Detective Lawson Guthrie, Chief Investigator Justin Scott and Stephens County Sheriff's Deputy Randy Kittrell show off the marijuana plants confiscated Wednesday during a search warrant that was executed at a Duncan residence. Toni Hopper

    Busted
February 11, 2011

Drug Task Force makes pot bust

Toni Hopper The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Wednesday afternoon, a tip led the District Six District Attorney’s Drug Task Force to 1308 W. Mulberry where a Duncan man was arrested after the discovery of several marijuana plants.

Austin Seth Hilbus, 24, of Duncan, was charged with cultivation of controlled substance (marijuana plants) in Stephens County District Court, and a $25,000 bond was set.

Justin Scott, Chief Investigator for the Task Force, said there was evidence provided that helped his team secure a search warrant on the residence. Issue of the warrant was a cooperative effort between the Task Force, which also includes Lawson Guthrie, members of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office and District Five Task Force agents.

The search and arrest took place around 2 p.m. Wednesday. Scott said the plants, along with three CO2 cylinders and heat lamps used for growing the plants, were discovered behind a fake wall in a closet.

“He was very knowledgeable about cultivation and even had the Carbon Dioxide to introduce to the plants to help growth,” Scott said.

“The defendant took 100 percent responsibility for the plants and said they were his,” Scott said. Hilbus was the only one at the home when the warrant was executed, Scott said.

“We knew very little about him.”

District Attorney Jason Hicks commended the cooperation of the Sheriff’s department in working and assisting the Task Force.

 Hilbus remains in the county jail until his bond is posted. His preliminary hearing conference has been set for 9 a.m. March 22.

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