Herb Fellow
New Member
Acting on a homeowner's tip, sheriff's deputies searched a remote area north of Sebastopol on Saturday and discovered that trespassers had planted more than 2,350 marijuana plants with a street value of several million dollars.
The owner of the property near Mill Station Road called deputies about 11 a.m. Saturday and asked them to check an outlying area. The sheriff's department said that trespassers had fled, leaving behind an extensive marijuana garden without the knowledge of the property owner.
In addition to the plants, which had not reached full size, deputies found hazardous pesticides and fertilizers. A sampling of plants were seized as evidence and the remainder were destroyed.
The sheriff's helicopter observed two men fleeing the area but lost them in the thick undergrowth. The suspects also eluded deputies on the ground.
"As the weather improves more marijuana gardens get planted. Property owners, and outdoor recreationists unfortunately need to be advised that this activity is occurring on public lands as well as on private property not owned by the marijuana grower," said Sheriff's Lt. Scott Dunn.
"Our experience has shown that these gardens can be extremely dangerous to those that may come across them," he stated. "We have found gardens being protected by individuals armed with high-power weapons and life-threatening booby traps."
Dunn advises anyone who encounters a marijuana garden on their own property or public lands should immediately leave the area and contact law enforcement.
Source: THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Copyright: 2008, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Contact: THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Website: Deputies find thousands of marijuana plants near Sebastopol | Early Edition Santa Rosa Press Democrat // News for California's North Bay and Redwood Empire
The owner of the property near Mill Station Road called deputies about 11 a.m. Saturday and asked them to check an outlying area. The sheriff's department said that trespassers had fled, leaving behind an extensive marijuana garden without the knowledge of the property owner.
In addition to the plants, which had not reached full size, deputies found hazardous pesticides and fertilizers. A sampling of plants were seized as evidence and the remainder were destroyed.
The sheriff's helicopter observed two men fleeing the area but lost them in the thick undergrowth. The suspects also eluded deputies on the ground.
"As the weather improves more marijuana gardens get planted. Property owners, and outdoor recreationists unfortunately need to be advised that this activity is occurring on public lands as well as on private property not owned by the marijuana grower," said Sheriff's Lt. Scott Dunn.
"Our experience has shown that these gardens can be extremely dangerous to those that may come across them," he stated. "We have found gardens being protected by individuals armed with high-power weapons and life-threatening booby traps."
Dunn advises anyone who encounters a marijuana garden on their own property or public lands should immediately leave the area and contact law enforcement.
Source: THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Copyright: 2008, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Contact: THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Website: Deputies find thousands of marijuana plants near Sebastopol | Early Edition Santa Rosa Press Democrat // News for California's North Bay and Redwood Empire
