Slow and Steady Gets the Bust As Turtle's Trail Leads to Drugs

"I could tell they were marijuana plants," said Ferebee, 46. "I've seen pictures of the leaves before. I've actually seen marijuana plants before, too. . . . And I was a little surprised to see them right there. They've been found in the park before, but it's been a long time."

He said, "I called the police to come see, because I knew they'd be interested in that."

A Park Police spokesman, Sgt. Robert Lachance, said yesterday that investigators covertly watched the pot patch from time to time until the alleged grower, a Montgomery County resident, showed up to tend to the plants. The suspect, Isiah Johnson, 19, of 2300 block of Washington Avenue in Chevy Chase, was arrested Wednesday and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

An investigator, speaking on the condition of anonymity yesterday because the case is unresolved, described Johnson as a college student (it's unclear what school he attends) with no previous arrest record. In terms of criminal history, "he's a nothing, a nobody," the investigator said, adding that Johnson seemed frightened and "was very, very cooperative" during a police interview.

"He's a kid," the investigator said. Johnson was the drummer in an area alt-rock group called Velhalla, which won a battle of the bands at the Montgomery County Executive Building in March 2007.

Johnson was in the Montgomery County jail last night awaiting transfer to the District for a court appearance. The pot in the park amounted to a pound and a half, worth about $2,500 wholesale and roughly $6,500 when peddled on the streets, police said.

"Quite unusual circumstances," Lachance said.

As for Turtle No. 72, age unknown, she is still in the park, munching on insects.

Staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.