Carpet Muncher
07-16-2006, 09:05 AM
damn.. they're finding lots of big grows this yr.
http://www.orovillemr.com/search/ci_4044463#
Oroville Mercury-Register
7/13/2006 12:00 AM
BY PAULA M. FELIPE/Public Safety Reporter
Oroville Mercury Register
An anonymous tip led law enforcement to a cache of more than 1,500 marijuana plants Tuesday.
A Mexican National was arrested after officials seized the plants in the Feather Falls area.
A tip phoned into the Butte County Sheriff's Marijuana Suppression Unit sent three investigators hiking for two hours into a remote, overgrown area not far from the Feather Falls trailhead, according to Sgt. Steve Collins, spokesperson for the Butte County Sheriff's Office.
While hiking through the rugged terrain, they came upon a huge marijuana cultivation operation and Benito Cordova, 53, who was detained and arrested for the cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale.
"Cordova did not resist arrest, and no weapons were found at the scene," Collins said. "He had a Mexican identification card on him, but did not have any work permit. His bail is set at $100,000."
There were no structures associated with the garden, but there were a couple of tents and a camp-like kitchen area set up.
There were four garden areas of cultivation. The smallest plot was about 30 x 40 ft. and the largest area was about 300 x 250 ft.
The plants varied in size from younger ones starting to bud to mature plants more than four feet tall. "The well-hidden garden is estimated to be a few months old and could not be detected by air and was a two-hour hike from the nearest paved road," Collins said. (another grower dropped a dime on him??)
Each plant's estimated value is $4,000 because one plant can produce about a pound of marijuana. Thus, 1,521 mature, harvested plants could produce more than $6 million in processed marijuana.
The three sheriff's investigators found a way to carry the uprooted marijuana plants using duct tape with some plastic pipe. It took the three investigators about five hours to uproot all the marijuana plants. The investigators, along with Cordova, hiked about two hours while hauling the marijuana to an awaiting vehicle. They rolled the plants into several large balls and duct taped them together. (the way it's worded it looks like Cordova helped them carry the plants back.. poor shmuck..)
"Some bundles of plants hung like water jugs on each end of a plastic pipe that was yoked across shoulders while others were carried," Collins said. The four men were able to haul all of the marijuana out of the area in one trip.
This case is under investigation and authorities are in the process of locating the property owner. It is also believed there are other suspects at large.
Black plastic pipe was used to bring water from a creek using gravity to irrigate the garden. Sheriff's investigators want the public to report suspicious signs or activity, such as black plastic pipe where it does not belong, tents, make-shift kitchen areas, or suspicious people.
"If you come across these signs, leave the area immediately and call the Marijuana Suppression Unit at: (530) 538-7389. Cultivators of these kind of marijuana gardens are known to be armed and dangerous," Collins said.
(caption.. "how can i get a cut of this w/out anyone noticing???)
http://www.orovillemr.com/search/ci_4044463#
Oroville Mercury-Register
7/13/2006 12:00 AM
BY PAULA M. FELIPE/Public Safety Reporter
Oroville Mercury Register
An anonymous tip led law enforcement to a cache of more than 1,500 marijuana plants Tuesday.
A Mexican National was arrested after officials seized the plants in the Feather Falls area.
A tip phoned into the Butte County Sheriff's Marijuana Suppression Unit sent three investigators hiking for two hours into a remote, overgrown area not far from the Feather Falls trailhead, according to Sgt. Steve Collins, spokesperson for the Butte County Sheriff's Office.
While hiking through the rugged terrain, they came upon a huge marijuana cultivation operation and Benito Cordova, 53, who was detained and arrested for the cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale.
"Cordova did not resist arrest, and no weapons were found at the scene," Collins said. "He had a Mexican identification card on him, but did not have any work permit. His bail is set at $100,000."
There were no structures associated with the garden, but there were a couple of tents and a camp-like kitchen area set up.
There were four garden areas of cultivation. The smallest plot was about 30 x 40 ft. and the largest area was about 300 x 250 ft.
The plants varied in size from younger ones starting to bud to mature plants more than four feet tall. "The well-hidden garden is estimated to be a few months old and could not be detected by air and was a two-hour hike from the nearest paved road," Collins said. (another grower dropped a dime on him??)
Each plant's estimated value is $4,000 because one plant can produce about a pound of marijuana. Thus, 1,521 mature, harvested plants could produce more than $6 million in processed marijuana.
The three sheriff's investigators found a way to carry the uprooted marijuana plants using duct tape with some plastic pipe. It took the three investigators about five hours to uproot all the marijuana plants. The investigators, along with Cordova, hiked about two hours while hauling the marijuana to an awaiting vehicle. They rolled the plants into several large balls and duct taped them together. (the way it's worded it looks like Cordova helped them carry the plants back.. poor shmuck..)
"Some bundles of plants hung like water jugs on each end of a plastic pipe that was yoked across shoulders while others were carried," Collins said. The four men were able to haul all of the marijuana out of the area in one trip.
This case is under investigation and authorities are in the process of locating the property owner. It is also believed there are other suspects at large.
Black plastic pipe was used to bring water from a creek using gravity to irrigate the garden. Sheriff's investigators want the public to report suspicious signs or activity, such as black plastic pipe where it does not belong, tents, make-shift kitchen areas, or suspicious people.
"If you come across these signs, leave the area immediately and call the Marijuana Suppression Unit at: (530) 538-7389. Cultivators of these kind of marijuana gardens are known to be armed and dangerous," Collins said.
(caption.. "how can i get a cut of this w/out anyone noticing???)