Jason Bridges Pct 4
An ongoing investigation by the Nacogdoches County Constable office Precinct 4 has lead officers to identify a second suspect that ran from officers from a large marijuana field that was growing near the Shawnee River. On Friday July 8, 2011 Deputy Allen with the Constable Office Precinct 4 and Game Warden Heath Bragg located a large amount of marijuana plants that had been planted in a remote area near the river bottom. Officers found two suspects on site, but one suspect fled the scene on foot and was not apprehended. Due to the heavy brush and thicket the suspect was able to elude officers in the woods. A DPS Helicopter was called in and deputies secured the area, while a search began for the suspect for several days.
Guadalupe Chavez
Officers secured the area as dark fell upon them Friday night and deputies remained in the area continuing the search for the suspect and maintaining security over the marijuana field. Constable Bridges stated that the removal of the marijuana plants started around 6;00 am Saturday morning, with the assistance of the Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office who also provided equipment that was needed for the removal of the marijuana plants. Nacogdoches County Road and Bridge also provided additional equipment that helped officers remove the marijuana plants.
Constable Bridges stated that there were over 1700 marijuana plants that were removed from the field that has been placed into evidence. Constable Bridges could not give a total weight on the marijuana, due to the evidence has to dry and then be taken to a lab for further testing. Bridges stated that the studies that have been done on the federal level show that one marijuana plant is capable of producing of just over 2 pounds of marijuana during its lifetime. So that should give some kind of estimate of what the marijuana field was capable of producing if it was not found. This Marijuana field had the potential to grow over 3000 pounds of marijuana during its lifetime if it had not been found.
Constable Bridges stated that the second suspect who ran from the marijuana field has been identified and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Deputy Constables from precinct 4 were able to positively identify J Guadalupe Chavez that is 34 years of age. A warrant for possession of marijuana a 2nd felony has been issued for his arrest. Bridges stated that charges may be enhanced at a later date when finally results of the marijuana come back from the laboratory.
Constable Bridges stated that this is still an ongoing investigation and we are attempting to identify other suspects in this investigation. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office is also assisting with the investigation along with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Texas Parks and Wildlife.
All hail Sheriff Bridges!!
Jason maybe you can come up to the north end of the county and help the good old boys out up here. They are having a hard time busting anybody around here. Maybe they should look at the staff and see of they are up to the task.