Ventura County Sheriff's detectives removed about 3,000 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $3 million from an area near Moorpark College Monday.
Narcotics investigators also found and removed an elaborate base camp containing food supplies, propne tanks, automotive batteries, cooking utensils, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, plastic irrigation pipes and hundreds of pounds of garbage, according to a statement issued by the Sheriff's Department Monday night.
As well, detectives found the growers had installed hundreds of feet of irrigation pipes to divert water from a nearby spring on the property and that they had recently shot and killed a deer, according to the sheriff's department.
The statement said a tip about the activity received by detectives prompted the investigation.
The grow was in a canyon on private land located northeast of the college, and investigators learned "the property owners were not responsible for establishing the grow and did not know the identitities of the suspects," according to the statement.
The sheriff's department requests anyone with information about those responsible for the grow contact Detective Sean Taylor at 805-383-8700 or, to remain anonymous, call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
The prohibition of marijuana is a farce. It is the few telling the many what they may and may not do. We are a free people. It is time to start living the way our forefathers intended. Law enforcement needs to re-direct its focus on crime...to those that are REAL crimes. I was in Federal Prison for 5 years for a marijuana offense. No, it was not for simple possession. I was arrested aboard a Lockheed PV2 in Marianna, Florida...charged and convicted for conspiracy to import and distribute 12,000 pounds of marijuana. At the time, I really had no idea what I had gotten myself into...mine was an offense involving pot...the thought never occurred to me that I may actually spend years in prison for that 'indiscretion.' As my years in prison rolled by, what I did see were armed bank robbers, coming and going...while I still sat there for marijuana. Most of the bank robbers only spent 17 to 24 months. But, I and my fellow 'drug offenders,'...we stayed for YEARS. I wrote about the escapades that led to my incarceration. I admit, I had a great time. No one was injured, no one was killed, firearms were not involved...there were no victims. We were Americans...doing what Americans do best...living free. Truly, it is time for this lunacy to end...it never should have begun. My book: Shoulda Robbed a Bank It is about living free.
Here is one of its reviews: 5.0 out of 5 stars... If David Sedaris had written 'Catcher in the Rye'..this would be it, June 30, 2012 Amazon Verified Purchase This review is from: Shoulda Robbed a Bank (Kindle Edition) I have never smoked pot in my life...nor do I ever care to. I read about this book in numerous Huffington Post comments. Thought I would read it because I know nothing about marijuana or the people involved with it. I am ecstatic that I did. Funny, Funny, Funny!!! The chapters are like short stories. Stories about unloading boats with helicopters, close encounters with law enforcement, traveling through the jungles of South America. The chapter about the author's first time smoking marijuana made me feel like I was with him...coughing. All of the characters were just a group of loveable, nice guys and girls. Not what I had been raised to believe...hysterical maniacs high on pot bent on death and mayhem. They were nothing like that. If you have ever read any of David Sedaris' books, and like them...you will love Shoulda Robbed a Bank. And the crazy things happening reminded me of Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye' and the way he staggered through life. The way the words are put together are like nothing I have ever heard. I am sure I will use many of the sayings found in this book just to dazzle my friends. A terrific read. I love this book.
Your argument is valid "..trespassing, littering, polluting..." to this point you are correct. Beyond that, please, reconsider... Marijuana being illegal is wrong.
Marijuana is illegal. <~~~ that's the fact. I think you are a real cheap schmo for posting a commercial for your book here.
"Marijuana is illegal. <~~~ that's the fact." Are you serious? Isn't that like making lettuce and tomatoes illegal? Marijuana is a plant...right? Have you read my book, yet? With your screen name, I know you would like it...I thought I was 'under the radar'... Keeping a 'low profile'...not hardly... But, I had a lot of fun...and never hurt anybody...and I never will.. Peace, Keepalowprofile... Stay safe and happy, Hugh Yonn