Canadatown men arrested after posing phots of pot plants on Facebook

Ronald Canada and his son, Tony Canada, were arrested by police after photos like the one above appeared on Facebook this week. Another arrest in the case is pending.

Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies say a picture on Facebook of a Canadatown resident allegedly posing in front of large marijuana plants led to an anonymous tip that resulted in the discovery of 14 plants Friday.

"I love it any time anyone has any marijuana, meth, illegal guns or drugs posted on Facebook. They can even call the office here if they want too," Sheriff Colan Harrell said laughing.

About 8:13 p.m., Sgt. Kirk Mays arrested Ronald Canada, 46, and his son, Tony Canada, 20, both of 311 Clifford Canada Road, and charged them with cultivating marijuana over five plants, which is a felony offense.

They were both lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center but released on a $7,500 surety bond the following afternoon.

Lt.-Detective Tim Baker received an anonymous tip about the Facebook photo late last week, Harrell said.
A second tip relayed information about where the plants could be located.

Mays followed up on the tips Friday and went to a Clifford Canada Road residence where he asked Tony Canada if marijuana was growing on his property, according to a sheriff’s department release.

"Tony Canada said yes and showed deputies where the plants were located. He said the plants were being grown by him and family members," the release noted. "According to Tony Canada, one large plants was nicknamed ‘Smiley’ and seeds to grow the plants were purchased after reading about them in a magazine advertisement."

The 14 plants, some of which were 12-13 feet tall, were photographed and destroyed.

Harrell said these are some of the largest plants that his department has ever found. When fully matured, marijuana plants have an estimated street value of $2,000 – $2,500.

Harrell said that police are in the process of procuring an arrest warrant for a third man, Jerry Canada, who is the person who allegedly posted the photo on his Facebook page. Jerry Canada is also Ronald Canada’s son.

A picture of Jerry Canada with the marijuana plant wasn’t visible on his Facebook page Tuesday morning, but Canada did list "Weed Country" as a liked television show.

According to its Facebook page, Weed Country is an American reality television series on the Discovery Channel that follows dealers, growers and patients of the marijuana trade located within the Emerald Triangle.

A quote at the top of Jerry Canada’s Facebook page reads, "Just hit the blunt one time and see if it don’t change your perception on what’s important in life."

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, a blunt is a cigar that has been hollowed out and filled with marijuana.
Mays is continuing the investigation. Detective John Hill, Lt. Millard Root and Court Security Officer Carl Neal assisted him.