Pubdate: Thu, 03 Aug 2000
Source: Bakersfield Californian (CA)
Copyright: 2000, The Bakersfield Californian.
Contact:  PO Box 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302-0440
Website: http://www.bakersfield.com/
Author: Amy Hilvers, Californian staff writer, OFFICIALS BUST MARIJUANA PLOTS

Law enforcement officials raided two groves of marijuana plants in Sequoia 
National Forest Wednesday to make the biggest marijuana seizure ever in 
Kern County national forests.

A total of 12,145 plants were seized, according to Margie Clack, the 
information officer for Greenhorn Ranger District. She said the number of 
plants was a record for the forest service areas inside Kern County.

The first grove had five plots with a total of 7,500 plants, she said. The 
second had four plots with 4,645 plants. Officials say the cultivation 
sites have been under investigation since April.

Clack said the Kern County Sheriff's Department estimates the plants yield 
one pound of marijuana each and are thought to be worth $1,000 to $3,000 
apiece. No suspects were apprehended Wednesday, but there is an ongoing 
investigation in the area which is approximately 10 miles west of Isabella 
Lake.

This was the first raid in the Greenhorn District, according to Clack, but 
there have been other raids in the forest. Officials seized 84,000 plants 
there last year.

"It's a growing problem," Clack said.

She said the Sequoia and Sierra national forests rank No. 5 in the country 
for marijuana gardens with Daniel Boone Forest in Kentucky being No. 1.

Fifty law enforcement officials assisted in the raid. Help came from the 
Kern County Sheriff's Department, the SWAT team, the Special Enforcement 
Division and Support Unit and Kern County narcotics enforcement with two 
K-9 dogs.

They also had a helicopter crew from the U.S. Air Force. There also was 
support from Sequoia, Sierra and Los Padres national forest officials.

Clack said she was told by officials that October is normal harvesting 
season, and the growing techniques used were sophisticated.

Kern County sheriff's officials will destroy what they found, according to 
Clack.
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