Over $1 million worth of the illegal crop was found Thursday
A major marijuana growing operation with ties to a Mexican drug cartel has been uncovered in Pike County.
Agents with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Pike County Sheriff's Office were involved in an eradication effort late Wednesday afternoon, when investigators in a helicopter noticed an area with a significant number of mariguana plants growing on a hillside. Authorities raided the location off Hickson Road Thursday morning.
Investigators said they also found evidence of two campsites that they believe likely belonged to Mexican nationals. Both camps were abandoned.
Officers from thirteen area law enforcement agencies worked all day Thursday to remove the plants and burn them. Had the plants been allowed to mature and be sold on the streets, authorities estimate the illegal crop had a total value of over $1.3 million.
No arrests have been made, although investigators said evidence left at the scene could help them identify the people responsible.
Including the 1,238 plants seized today, BCI and Pike County authorities seized 1,609 marijuana plants over the two-day drug eradication effort.
