Two Ottumwa men are accused of growing marijuana plants on a local farmer’s property.
Mark Burtlow, 63, and Kevin Hewitt, 59, were charged with manufacturing marijuana (Class D felony) and failure to affix a drug tax stamp (Class D felony).
According to the Wapello County Sheriff’s office, a farmer in western Wapello County found a small patch of marijuana plants on his property and alerted law enforcement. The Southeast Iowa Inter-Agency Drug Task Force began surveillance of the area.
On Thursday, Burtlow and Hewitt were observed harvesting the marijuana plants. Both tried to run when officers approached them but were eventually caught.
Burtlow and Hewitt were arrested and transported to the Wapello County Jail. They are being held without bond pending their first court hearing.
