'Large Grow' of 4,500+ Marijuana Plants Discovered Near Cucamonga Canyon

A marijuana growing operation measuring approximately one half square mile hidden within the San Bernardino National Forest was "eradicated" this weekend through a joint local and federal task force, it was reported Tuesday.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced the recent operation Tuesday, which they conducted on Friday along with the U.S. Forest Service, DEA and CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting).


"Investigators seized 4,595 mature marijuana plants and over 1,500 pounds of processed marijuana," a sheriff's statement said.  "All of the plants were in the budding stage and ranged in height from 6 to 12 feet tall."

Near the plant-growing site– which was located in "extremely rugged terrain" about two miles north of the city limits of Rancho Cucamonga– investigators also found camping equipment and "an abundance of trash as evidence that several suspects had been living within, and caring for, the large grow," the sheriff's statement said.

"The plants were exceptionally large with a potential for doubling the 1,500 pounds of processed marijuana seized," sheriff's officials reported.

With the marijuana grow, the drug cultivators had done significant damage to the area, according to the sheriff's department.

"The suspects had done a lot of clear cutting which causes irreversible damage to the forest in an area measuring approximately one half square mile," the agency said.  "The fertilizer and animal repellents used by the growers contaminate the water flowing into the area of lower Cucamonga Canyon known as Sapphire Falls and cause long lasting damage to the forest."

The agency says it's believed the suspects were able to irrigate the marijuana plants through a tubing system they set up from a water source higher up in the mountains.

Though the camping equipment and four cargo nets full of supplies were recovered from the site– no suspects were found.  What's more, sheriff's officials say none have been identified.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Narcotics Division at (909)890-4840. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.