[Sativa]

LOMPOC, Calif.—Some 50,000 pot plants were uprooted after authorities discovered a massive marijuana garden growing on both sides of rural Highway 1 south of Lompoc.

Machetes, chain saws and a helicopter were used Tuesday in the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department eradication of the estimated $160 million crop. There were no arrests.

The pot was growing on the San Julian Ranch, but the property owner was unaware his land was being used to grow marijuana, sheriff's spokesman Eric Raney said.

"It's a fairly large grow covering both sides of the highway," Raney said. "We've had the full cooperation of the ranch owners. The private property owners were not aware of the illicit activity in the area."



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Source: San Jose Mercury News
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Copyright: 2007 San Jose Mercury News
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