BRADSHAW, W.Va. —Members of the drug task force from McDowell County, W.Va. and Buchanan County, Va. discovered a mature pot patch and an operational moonshine still near the West Virginia/Virginia border.
Authorities made the discovery while executing a search warrant near Paynesville. About 50 marijuana plants average 15 feet in height were discovered. Also near the pot patch was a fully functional moonshine still. Officers found additional moonshine hidden amid hay bales on the property of suspect.
Police say the property owner is Lewis “Reuben” Lester, 70, Paynesville. A warrant for his arrest has been issued. His daughter, Melissa Lester, 25, was at home when authorities raided the property. She was arrested on one county of operating a moonshine still, one count of cultivating marijuana, and five counts of delivery of a controlled substance.