Mountain Pot Farm Worth $250,000 Seized
- Share via
Orange County sheriff’s deputies Tuesday seized about $250,000 worth of marijuana watered by an irrigation system in the Santa Ana Mountains.
The estimated 1,000 plants, partially concealed by other foliage, were first spotted late Monday from a sheriff’s helicopter on routine patrol over rugged terrain about a quarter-mile off Ortega Highway about 15 miles east of Antonio Parkway, said Jim Amormino, a sheriff’s spokesman.
“Because darkness was falling, they decided to wait until daybreak,” Amormino said. Deputies and U.S. Forest Service personnel hiked into the area early Tuesday in 90-degree heat.
No arrests were made.
Law enforcement officers also discovered a rifle at an abandoned campsite near the plants, Amormino said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
