Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 Source: Bakersfield Californian, The (CA) Copyright: 2008 The Bakersfield Californian Contact: http://www.bakersfield.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/36 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California) NEARLY 70,000 MARIJUANA PLANTS FOUND IN NATIONAL FOREST Federal, state and local law enforcement seized almost 70,000 marijuana plants this week from two areas of Los Padres National Forest in Kern and Ventura counties. On Monday, an estimated 54,000 marijuana plants were removed from several plots along Santiago Creek off Cerro Noroeste Road in Kern County, Forest Service spokesmen said. About 40 officers from the Forest Service, Kern County Sheriff's Department and other agencies participated in seizing the plants. The officers found several campsites, extensive irrigation systems, fertilizer, trash, propane tanks and other items in the area, spokesmen said. Large areas of native shrubs and trees had been cut down to make room for the pot. The marijuana was removed and will be destroyed. No arrests were made and the investigation was ongoing. On Tuesday, officers removed more than 14,000 pot plants from plots in the Gold Hill area of the forest in Ventura County. Again, campsites and irrigation systems were found and the marijuana was removed so it can be destroyed. Two men were found in the Gold Hill area where the marijuana was growing last week and they were being held in Ventura County, spokesmen said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake