Massive illegal pot farms discovered in California wilderness
More than 42,000 illegal marijuana plants discovered recently on California public lands have been eradicated.
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that the street value of the plants was estimated at between $84 million and $169 million.
Vast groves of marijuana were discovered in three locations in Inyo County, a sprawling Eastern Sierra wilderness with the town of Independence as its county seat.
Agents working for state and federal agencies spent three days destroying 42,306 marijuana plants at the undisclosed locations.
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An investigation is ongoing and, as of Thursday afternoon, no arrests had been made.
“All agencies assisting in the eradication operation want to remind residents and visitors of the dangers that are inherent on illegal marijuana cultivation,” the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release.
“If you become aware that you have come upon a cultivation site, leave immediately and do not attempt to engage with the growers.”
The Sheriff’s Office explained that the illegal cultivation of marijuana often involves water diversions and banned herbicides and pesticides, and can cause extensive harm to natural ecosystems.
Inyo County is southeast of Yosemite National Park and home to the Owens River Valley. Spanning 10,192 square miles, it is California’s second largest county, after San Bernardino County. About half of that average is within Death Valley National Park.
–Aerial images showing the illegal pot farms are courtesy of the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office