By John Howell Sr.
Law enforcements officials busted an indoor marijuana-growing operation in northwest Panola County Monday night.

“It was one of the best ones, I’ve seen,” Panola County Narcotics Task Force Deputy Bill Magee said.

Authorities arrested 61-year-old Rex Floyd Dye at 7726 Highway 3, Sarah, the house he shared with his indoor agricultural enterprise.

As officers approached, “30 yards from the house, you could smell it,” Magee said.

The case originated with Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents who developed information that led to a search warrant for the home, Magee said. MBN contacted the Panola County Sheriff’s Department, including the Task Force, to join them in serving the warrant and the ensuing search.

“When we got to the back door, he opened the door and said, ‘Here I am,’”Magee said. Dye was “real cooperative,” the Task Force deputy said.

Inside officers found “a really good grow operation,”Magee continued, with 21 plants growing in pots.

“They would have budded in another couple of weeks,” he said. Other plants had been harvested and hung upside down to dry. The officers also seized approximately 40 quart-size Mason jars filled with plant buds and sealed.

Marijuana “grow lights” had been strung through the grow room. The grower used a water hose from an outside faucet to water the plants.

Magee said that he estimated officers confiscated about $10,000 worth of equipment plus $30,000 worth of product.

No bond had yet been set for Dye. As lead agency, MBN will file charges, according to Magee.
The location of the house is little over a mile north of Crenshaw town limits on Highway 3, near the corners of Panola, Tate, Tunica and Quitman counties.