COMO – Nearly $100,000 worth of marijuana will not find its way into the local drug supply lines.

On Friday, officials with the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office searched a Como area residence, discovering 16 fully matured pot plants. Hertford County Sheriff Juan Vaughan said each plant was capable of generating $5,000 in sales.

Arrested was Steven Wayne Harrell, 43, of 1826 US Highway 258 North, Como. He was placed in the Hertford County Jail under a $36,000 secured bond on the charges of manufacturing marijuana, possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

“Sixteen marijuana plants may not sound like an awful lot, but it will put a dent in the line of supply,” Sheriff Vaughan said. “We will continue in our efforts to slow down the sale of drugs in Hertford County.”

Sheriff Vaughan praised the public’s interaction with his office in reporting these types of drug-related crimes.

“It was a tip from a citizen that led us to begin our investigation of that Como residence,” Vaughan said. “We most definitely appreciate any assistance we receive from the public and urge them to continue to supply us with information.”

Using the tip, Captain Raymond Eure, Lt. Will Liverman and Sgt. Scott Cofield obtained a search warrant for Harrell’s residence. Upon their mid-afternoon arrival on Friday, the lawmen saw the plants growing in plain view outside the residence.

“They were fully grown plants ready for harvest,” Sheriff Vaughan said.

The Sheriff commended his officers for professionally handling the case.

Harrell’s first appearance in Hertford County District Court is today (Tuesday).