Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Party Foul in Ventura County, as Sheriff's Uproot $205M Worth of Marijuana

weed1.jpg
Photo by Michael Zampelli via the LAist Featured Photos pool

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Ventura County Sheriff's investigators seized 68,488 marijuana plants at the largest plantation ever discovered in the area, reports KTLA. The plants were uprooted, and were estimated to be worth about $205 million. The growing area was located in the Los Padres National Forest, just north of Ojai. No one has been arrested, however several guns and rifles were also found on the property.

The operation was discovered last month. In addition to the existing plants, areas had been cleared for growing and water was being brought in by reservoirs dug to access natural springs, adds the San Jose Mercury News.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today