Large marijuana garden nipped in the bud; 8,538 starter plants uprooted

CANYON CITY, Ore. -- Oregon State Police and Grant County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of US Forest Service law enforcement and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, eradicated a marijuana grow Wednesday from a three acre area located in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness on the Malhuer National Forest about seven miles south of Canyon City.

On September 3, 2009 officers removed 8,538 starter marijuana plants from the Berry Creek area on the west end of the Strawberry Mountains. The estimated value of the plants if allowed to mature and harvested would have had the street value of nearly $15 million.

Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer said the marijuana grow site had been abandoned.  A local citizen hiking in the area discovered the site and reported it to local authorities in early August about the same time the Cougar Fire started. The marijuana grow was located within close proximity to the fire, however, it is not known if the cause of the fire was associated with the marijuana grow activities.

The marijuana, evidence and assorted equipment used to maintain the site were packed out of the wilderness on horse back by personnel from US Forest Service law enforcement and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.  No arrests have been made.