Agents Bust Indoor Marijuana Operation In Avondale

AVONDALE ESTATES, GA — GBI agents and other law enforcement officers busted a home in Avondale Estates where they say a man was running an expensive, indoor marijuana-growing operation.

On Tuesday, GBI agents served a search warrant at a home on Washington Street in Avondale, after what they say was a months-long investigation. There, they say they found more than 400 marijuana plants in elaborate grow rooms with lighting and water systems set on timers.

A large air filtration system was used to diminish the smell and an industrial-sized grinder valued at more than $10,000 also was found, the GBI said.

Matthew Bradley Rexrode, 56, was charged with trafficking marijuana. He was arrested at a home in the 3600 block of Peachtree Road in Atlanta, where agents say they found 10 pounds of marijuana, cocaine, prescription pills and a device used to extract cannabis oil from the plants, along with $5,020.

He is being held at DeKalb County Jail without bond and additional charges from Fulton County are expected.

The Avondale Estates Police Department, Atlanta Police Department and Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force helped with the investigation.

Photo courtesy Georgia Bureau of Investigation