COLERAIN – Tips from citizens continue to aid the battle to get drugs off the streets in Bertie County.

Saturday morning, Bertie County deputies and officers with North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) arrested a Colerain man and charged him with manufacturing marijuana.

Bertie County Sheriff John Holley said an tip called in to Det. Sgt. Ed Pittman led to the arrest.

“Someone called Det. Sgt. Pittman and alerted him to the possibility of marijuana growing in a wooded area on the Sally Freeman Road,” Sheriff Holley said. “Some officers went out to check out the tip and found marijuana growing in the area.”

Sheriff Holley sent Deputy Daniel Flores to the scene along with Officer Style of ALE to keep surveillance on the marijuana because it appeared to be well taken care of.

“At approximately 7:20 a.m., the suspect came out with what appeared to be two bottles of water and began watering the plants and clipping the leaves,” Sheriff Holley said. “At that time he was placed under arrest.”

The officers arrested William Carlton Watford, 61, of Sally Freeman Road. He was charged with manufacturing a schedule six controlled substance and possession of more than one and one-half ounces of marijuana.

Watford was placed in the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail under a $15,000 secured bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday).

Sheriff Holley said he was happy with the continued support of the citizens in Bertie County.

“I cannot stress how instrumental the citizens have been in our efforts to stop the drug trade in Bertie County,” Sheriff Holley said. “I am happy they have been providing us the information and support we need to be successful.

“As always, I want our citizens to feel free to call the office, any of our officers and call me personally (724-1681),” he added. “Remember, we want your information, not your name.”