Crop insurance agent arrested for growing marijuana
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
A local crop insurance agent is free on $1 million bond after a multi-agency contingent of lawmen raided his home and surrounding property March 9 and arrested him for operating an indoor marijuana farm.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Region A Drug Enforcement Task Force agents from Escambia County and Monroe County, along with Atmore Police Department patrol officers and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies, executed a search warrant around midnight, March 9, at the Hodgen Drive home of 46-year-old Jason Eric Burkett. (Hodgen Drive is located off Old Bratt Road, outside Atmore’s city limits but within its police jurisdiction.)
According to an Atmore Police Department press release, the lawmen discovered 3.3 pounds of marijuana, equipment and supplies for growing marijuana, scales and 14 guns. Also found were several non-prescribed hydrocodone pills and $14,240 in currency.
Police Chief Chuck Brooks said the illicit growing operation was being conducted in an outbuilding behind Burkett’s residence. The hydrocodone, guns and currency were reportedly discovered inside the residence.
The Escambia County Detention Center website shows that Burkett was processed into the facility around 1:34 a.m., March 10. He was released from the county jail Friday afternoon, March 12.
Burkett is charged with one count each of trafficking in marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, manufacturing of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to Burkett’s Facebook page, he is a crop insurance agent for California-based H&S Insurance Services.