GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) -- A 71-year-old woman was arrested on drug charges after a chest-high marijuana plant was found in her yard, a plant she said was meant to keep animals away from her garden.
A sheriff's deputy saw the plant as he drove past Betty Holt Walker's home earlier this month, according to Capt. Tony Caliendo of the Guilford County Sheriff's Department.
The deputy stopped to investigate and found five smaller plants behind a shed, as well as marijuana stems and seeds, and a water bong made from a soda bottle inside the house, Caliendo said.
Walker told the deputy she found the first plant - which had grown to more than 4 feet tall when he saw it - in her garden and reported it. She said it was a special plant used to keep animals out of her front yard.
"This wasn't something that was meant to keep animals away," Caliendo said.
Walker is due in court Sept. 12 to face charges of manufacturing marijuana and felony possession of marijuana. A daughter who lives in the home was unaware the plants were in the yard and was not charged, Caliendo said.
A sheriff's deputy saw the plant as he drove past Betty Holt Walker's home earlier this month, according to Capt. Tony Caliendo of the Guilford County Sheriff's Department.
The deputy stopped to investigate and found five smaller plants behind a shed, as well as marijuana stems and seeds, and a water bong made from a soda bottle inside the house, Caliendo said.
Walker told the deputy she found the first plant - which had grown to more than 4 feet tall when he saw it - in her garden and reported it. She said it was a special plant used to keep animals out of her front yard.
"This wasn't something that was meant to keep animals away," Caliendo said.
Walker is due in court Sept. 12 to face charges of manufacturing marijuana and felony possession of marijuana. A daughter who lives in the home was unaware the plants were in the yard and was not charged, Caliendo said.
