Authorities in Santa Barbara County say their just completed illegal marijuana eradication season led to the seizure and destruction of more than 100,000 plants.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office investigators say they took out nine fields in the Los Padres National Forest. While numerous camps and even guns were found, no arrests were made.
Detectives say because of the remote, rugged terrain growers were able to flee as they heard approaching search teams. Because of the size and sophistication of the operations, it’s believed they were being operated by Mexican drug cartels.
The campaign in the county included joint efforts with state and federal agencies. The federal government has provided funding for the county’s marijuana education efforts for more than two decades.
