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Sheriff’s deputies and a state parks crew tore out and destroyed more
than 6,000 marijuana plants and seedlings in Big Basin State Park
Sheriff’s deputies and a state parks crew tore out and destroyed more than 6,000 marijuana plants and seedlings in Big Basin State Park on Monday, May 5.
The grow was discovered above the camp ground in Big Basin by a volunteer who had helped eradicate a similar operation in the same spot in 2005, said Sgt. Steve Carney, head of the narcotics division.
About 2,360 marijuana plants were planted in a terrace on the hillside, and another 3,760 plants had sprouted in garden trays, similar to the “six-packs” flowers that are sold in nurseries.
Carney estimated the marijuana would be worth about half a million dollars on the street.
The site appeared to be consistent with a “Mexican national grow,” Carney said, where people camp in the garden throughout the summer to tend to the plants.
It appeared two people had set up camp for a long stay.
Creeks and water sources were dammed up for irrigation and a full cooking camp was set up, along with makeshift cots, a push-up bar, a dip bar, a broken pull-up bar and a bathing area.
“I must say, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Carney said.
Deputies also found a loaded gun at the camp.
One man was arrested, but there was no evidence to prove he was involved.
Carney said 4,000 to 5,000 plants is about the average-size grow in the area.
This is the earliest in the growing season, which begins mid-April and ends in October, deputies have discovered a setup. Typically, they start looking during the summer months.
To comment on this story, e-mail reporter Peter Burke at peter@press
banner.com, call 438-2500 or post a comment at www.pressbanner.com.
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My first question is are has anyone tried to get a grant? The young man checked and the answer was no, that there wasn't a grand available for a fire station.
I looked on line and found several websites that appear to fund fire station
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rls=SUNA,SUNA:2006-38,SUNA:en&q=GRANTS FOR FIRE stations
I need to know has anyone really checked for funds?
My second question was how much have they raised in self supported fundraisers?
My third question is why has it taken until now to realize that the station is inadequate? One would imagine that from a business and safety standpoint this should have been addressed by fundraising and applying to all available grant funds. If BLF needs it now, then the process should have been started sometime ago. Don't ask me for money when a real genuine earnest effort on the behalf of the BLF to raise funds hasn't been made. After all we did just agree to paying for a new Library at the SLV High because it was burned down.
I also don't see the need for bigger trucks when presently they aren't able to access all the rural areas.