AGENTS DISCOVER LARGE POT FARM

30,000 Plants Seized Near Site Of Big Raid Earlier This Month

In their second huge marijuana bust this month, law enforcement
agencies on Monday and Tuesday seized almost 30,000 plants just over
the San Benito County line in Fresno County.

The latest seizure, by the Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team --
including law enforcement officers from South Santa Clara and San
Benito counties -- brings the total number of plants seized in the
past month in the isolated region to about 80,000. According to law
enforcement officials, the total street value of the plants is about
$335 million.

The first bust, about 70 miles southeast of Hollister, involved 48,000
plants, and was touted as the largest in the state's history.

The bust this week is about 20 miles from the first one, also in
rough, mountainous terrain. The plants reportedly were 6 to 11 feet
tall, and were trimmed to the height of the surrounding trees to
provide a natural camouflage.

Whoever operated the farm ``had to carry everything in,'' said San
Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill, whose agency assisted in the bust.
``Generators, cook stoves, propane tanks, lots and lots of plastic
drip irrigation. . . . it was a very laborious process.''

The operators apparently lived near the crops. No arrests were made in
connection with the latest bust.

Ten suspects with addresses in Madera were arrested at the site of the
first bust in early September and were charged with conspiracy to
cultivate and distribute marijuana.

Authorities were alerted to the marijuana-growing operation in
mid-August by a deer hunter, who became suspicious of a group of men
in the area. The operation was subsequently put under surveillance,
which revealed armed men coming and going.

Agents from the state attorney general's Campaign Against Marijuana
Planting also participated in the marijuana raids.