Tuesday evening update:
GOODRICH, Texas (AP) _ East Texas authorities say they have cleared more than two dozen marijuana fields that contained about 100,000 plants worth an estimated $175 million.
Chief Deputy Byron Lyons from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office tells KHOU-TV in Houston (http://bit.ly/1oHIpdv ) that the fields were part of a sophisticated growing operation that used water from a creek to hydrate the marijuana plants.
A campground was also found on the site.
A deer hunter stumbled across the fields Saturday near the town of Goodrich, which is about 70 miles northeast of Houston.
Authorities say one man found in the woods has been arrested. The suspect’s name has not been released.
Inmates from the county jail helped authorities pull up the plants and clear away the fields.
Original story:
GOODRICH, Texas (AP) _ Texas authorities are working to clear more than a dozen marijuana fields found in the eastern part of the state.
Chief Deputy Bryan Lyons from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office says more than 44,000 plants had been cleared as of Monday. Inmates from the county jail were drafted to pull up the plants.
The operation was discovered on Saturday when a deer hunter stumbled across the fields. More than 12 fields have been cleared. It’s unclear how many remain.
Authorities found an irrigation system, generators and living areas at the site. Lyons called it an elaborate setup.
Game Warden David Johnson says one man found in the woods has been arrested and authorities are searching for another. They haven’t released the man’s name.
