Over $17 million worth of pot seized
from Los Padres National Forest

By Anna Molin, Bay City News Service

September 26, 2006

Monterey County sheriff's deputies eradicated three marijuana gardens nestled in the Los Padres National Forest east of Carmel Valley on Monday, seizing more than $17 million worth of plants and packaged pot.

Pounds of processed weed as well as 1,440 marijuana plants were confiscated and destroyed after being flown out of the remote site.

According to the sheriff's office, several people were seen running from the grounds as law enforcement personnel flew into the area.

Ground personnel failed to locate them and the suspects escaped.

Sheriff's deputies also found growing tools, including fertilizers and pesticides, adjacent to a campsite.

Sheriff's narcotics detectives, the Monterey County Marijuana Eradication Team, special agents with the state Department of Justice Campaign Against Marijuana Planting and members of the U.S. Forest Service conducted the operation.

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