Cannabis Grow Operation Discovered In Santa Cruz Co. State Park

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, CA — More than 1,800 cannabis plants were being illegally grown in Castle Rock State Park in Santa Cruz County, officials said.

The plants were destroyed June 18, the California Department of Parks and Recreation announced Thursday in a news release. The grow site was located in a rugged part of the park, near the San Lorenzo River headwaters, parks officials said.

No arrests have been made.

The growers apparently damaged local resources by diverting water, changing the terrain, damaging native plants and using harmful chemicals, parks officials said. State Parks will work to repair the damage.

Illegal cannabis operations can hurt the environment, animals and potentially people, park officials said.