Middletown >> Narcotics detectives found and eradicated 23,286 marijuana plants from the Middletown area growing in two separate sites on Monday, though no arrests were made.
Investigations into the properties began in early April. Detectives spotted what appeared to be two large commercial marijuana grows as they were conducting routine overflight missions to find illegal cultivation sites, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Lt. Steve Brooks.
One of the grow sites was located in the Dry Creek area and the other was situated in the Butts Canyon area, both near Middletown.
On Monday at approximately 7:30 a.m., detectives arrived at the Dry Creek grow site and reportedly found a camp area which appeared to have been occupied by three people.
The water, authorities allege, was being diverted from a spring and was dispersed through an elaborate irrigation system to water their plants. Detectives also found fertilizer, pesticides and ammunition in the camp area, Brooks said.
Detectives found 11,739 marijuana plants from the site.
A few hours later at 2 p.m., detectives arrived at the Butts Canyon grow site and found another camp area which appeared to have been occupied by two people, Brooks said. They again said that the water for the plants was being diverted from two springs.
Detectives found 11,547 marijuana plants from this site.
