Pubdate: Fri, 10 May 2002
Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)
Webpage: 
www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/home/article/0,1299,DRMN_1_1138863,00.html
Copyright: 2002, Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371

SO CAL RAID PRODUCES MORE THAN 30,000 MARIJUANA PLANTS

TEMECULA, Calif.- Authorities found more than 30,000 marijuana plants worth 
about $170 million at 17 locations in the hills west of here.

The seven-day raid by the Riverside County Sheriff's marijuana eradication 
team that ended Tuesday is one of Southern California's biggest crop 
seizures in recent years, federal investigators said.

Last year, team members destroyed 117,000 plants in Riverside and San 
Bernardino counties, a popular spot for marijuana growers because of good 
conditions.

"There is a free flow of nutrient-fed water and easy places to hide 
plants," said sheriff's Sgt. Andrew Nielson. "For a couple of thousand 
dollars, some people are making millions."

Deputies made only one arrest this week. A transient from Mexico, Vianey 
Medrano, 31 watched over 4,600 plants, authorities said.

Investigators have been watching the area overlooking Temecula. Most of the 
marijuana farms were difficult to access. Some had small camps set up, 
complete with stoves, dug-out bathrooms and beds.

Deputies found the farms by staking out the same spots they found in last 
year's sweep. Each plant can produce a pound of marijuana, which has a 
street value of about $5,500, authorities said.

The plants, now in Palm Springs, will be buried with chemicals that 
decompose the marijuana.
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