4 Charged In Cartersville Drug Bust

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. — Four people were charged with drugs and weapons offenses after a year-long investigation, police said.

Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force, FBI Safe Streets Task Force and deputies with the Bartow County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at a home on Woodland Way in Cartersville Thursday. Agents said they seized a hydroponic marijuana grow operation that was capable of producing in excess of 3,500 marijuana plants.

SLIDESHOW: Marijuana Grow Operation

During the execution of the search warrant, agents discovered elaborate hidden compartments in the house as well as a room that was concealed by a false wall, police said. The concealment of the compartments was complicated and required a combination of several steps to access, according to authorities.

Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force Commander Capt. Mark Mayton said agents were still assessing the value of the growing operation on Monday but he believed it to be at least $350,000 and was capable of producing millions of dollars worth of high-grade marijuana.

Police said the amount of growing equipment seized was "overwhelming" and had to be removed with a tractor-trailer.

Officials also seized a trafficking amount of methamphetamine, several vehicles, weapons and a "large amount" of cash, Mayton said.

Ricky Paul Holt, 53, Elaine Black Holt, 49, Kayla Renee Black, 19, and Christopher Dale Black, 22, were all arrested and charged. They are in jail pending a bond hearing.

Police said they do expect more arrests in the case.

WSBTV