Pot bust yields 1,000 plants in National Forest

Two brothers have been accused of growing more than 1,000 marijuana plants in 11 plots in the Rockbridge County area of the George Washington National Forest, federal authorities announced Thursday.

Michael Jay Shifflett, 46, of Glasgow, and Jackson David Shifflett Jr., 51, of Natural Bridge Station, were arrested Tuesday after a two-count indictment was handed up Aug. 21 by a federal grand jury in Harrisonburg, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Roanoke.

Both men were charged with conspiracy, possession and intent to distribute marijuana.

Besides destroying the marijuana, authorities also searched the Shiffletts’ residences and seized 22 firearms.

The arrests were the culmination of a joint investigation by the local, state and federal agencies.