A Dawson County man was arrested Monday afternoon after authorities say they found him tending to a crop of suspected marijuana in the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area.

Officers had been watching the spot for several weeks, following an aerial search.

“At the time of the fly-over, they didn’t know who the suspect was, but they later got a description,” said Dawson County Sheriff’s Lt. Tony Wooten.

Four officers were waiting near the field when Michael Hugh McBrayer, 41, arrived and began tending to the plants.

“Our officers and DNR officers spent a lot of time and energy not only to keep these plants off the streets, but also the person responsible for growing them,” Wooten said.

Officers found 78 plants at the site.

McBrayer, who lives off Kelly Bridge Road, a short distance from the site, was arrested after a brief chase through the woods.

McBrayer, who is being held at the Dawson County Detention Center, faces charges of manufacturing marijuana. Additional charges for wildlife management violations are likely.