PHOTO: Two were arrested in Jackson County yesterday after barricading themselves in with their Marijuana Grow when officers came to search. Jackson County Deputies and Task Force agents eventually made entry. (Jackson County Sheriff's Office)

By Staff Reports 

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office: On Tuesday March 6, 2018, members of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, Narcotics Unit and Investigations Division responded to a residence on County Road 93 in Bryant, Alabama to investigate possible drug activity.

After smelling a strong odor of green marijuana emanating from a shed in the back yard, Deputies found that the shed was locked and barricaded from the inside. Deputies were able to determine that someone was inside but that the person or persons inside would not open the door to the shed and would not respond to the Deputies commands. Deputies secured the exterior of the shed and obtained a search warrant.

After several hours of attempting to talk the suspect/s out of the shed, Deputies forced entry and located two suspects: Joshua Keith Barton, age 39 of Bryant and Hershell Wayne Raines age 34 of Bryant inside.

Additionally, approximately 85 marijuana plants, in various stages of maturity, a sophisticated grow operation along with several firearms, drug paraphernalia and un-prescribed prescription medications were located and seized.

Both suspects were arrested and charged with: Trafficking in Marijuana, Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Illegal Possession of Prescription Drugs.

Barton and Raines were transported to the Jackson County Jail and are being held on $30,600 bond.