SACRAMENTO, Calif. A massive marijuana bust in Santa Barbara County netted $195 million worth of marijuana plants in central California.
The 61,000 plants were spotted while deputies were on patrol in a chopper near Twitchell reservoir, reports CBS station KOVR-TV.
The plants were located in nine separate grow areas a short distance from a riverbed. Water from the river was used in an elaborate system of gravity fed irrigation to feed plant from 1 to 8 feet tall.
Police say the appearance of the camps had an elaborate set up and that the area has been used to grow marijuana for several seasons. No weapons were found, but ammunition was located in one of the camps, indicating the suspects were probably armed.
Three illegal immigrants are behind bars in connection with the operation.
The 61,000 plants were spotted while deputies were on patrol in a chopper near Twitchell reservoir, reports CBS station KOVR-TV.
The plants were located in nine separate grow areas a short distance from a riverbed. Water from the river was used in an elaborate system of gravity fed irrigation to feed plant from 1 to 8 feet tall.
Police say the appearance of the camps had an elaborate set up and that the area has been used to grow marijuana for several seasons. No weapons were found, but ammunition was located in one of the camps, indicating the suspects were probably armed.
Three illegal immigrants are behind bars in connection with the operation.
