Moore County Deputies arrested two male suspects for the larceny of industrial hemp plants.

Sheriff Godfrey said in a news release, “The department received a complaint last week to several industrial hemp plants being stolen from a field in Eagle Springs.”

When deputies started to investigate the complaint, Lucas Brant Phillips, 19, from Eagle Springs, and Preston Omar Cole, 28, from Jackson Springs, were identified as suspects in the case.

“Hemp, or industrial hemp, typically found in the northern hemisphere, is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for the industrial uses of its derived products,” said The Moore County Sheriff’s Department. “It is one of the fastest growing plants and was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber.”

Both suspects were charged with larceny of ungathered crops and injury to trees/crops/lands.  The suspects were each placed under $3,000 bonds.

The suspects are scheduled to appear in court on September 25 and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Photo, L,R: Lucas Brant Phillips, Preston Omar Cole.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email