Former illegal marijuana farm up for auction in Johnston County: starting bid slashed to $100,000

The former illegal marijuana farm is now up for auction.

If it is your dream to own nearly 20 acres of land with buildings on it that once housed an illegal marijuana grow operation, boy, is there a deal for you.

Right now, the starting bid for a 19.24 acre parcel in Johnston County is $100,000. The current bid stands at $110,420.

The land, located near State Highway 48 and E Grassy Creek Rd. in a rural part of the county, once hosted an illicit grow facility with connections to the international drug trafficking trade, according to law enforcement officials.

In July 2021, the farm was shut down and the property seized by the Johnston County Sheriff’s office. Court proceedings later awarded the land to the State.

Bid4Assets, Inc. has listed the property on its website.

Bidding began on September 11th. The original opening bid was $755,006. Nobody was interested in that price.

Bids then reopened with the deeply discounted opening bid of $100,000.

Money obtained through the auction is governed by state law. 25% of it will go to the District Attorney’s office while 75% will go to the sheriff’s office to purchase equipment and material for drug enforcement operations.