Drugs have a street value of more than $100,000

HUNTERSVILLE – Large marijuana plants, some as tall as 8-feet, were discovered last week after police raided a local business.

Gary Gene Vore, 55, was arrested after police, acting on a tip, searched his Gator Tree and Crane Service building at 11220 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road.

Police found 76 marijuana plants that would have yielded 20 pounds of pot, police said.

Huntersville Lt. Ken Richardson said it appeared this was Vore’s first attempt to grow the plants, which had an estimated street value of $100,000.

Police don’t believe Vore has sold any of the marijuana.

He is charged with two counts of trafficking marijuana, maintaining a dwelling to keep or sell a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, police. He was being held at the Mecklenburg County Jail on an $112,500 bond, the jail log said.

Vore, a registered sex offender, has had numerous arrests in Mecklenburg County since 2006, but this is his first drug related charge.