Local authorities on Thursday morning seized an array of weapons and an estimate of between 70,000 and 80,000 marijuana plants along Frye Lane in San Benito County, according to a statement released Thursday afternoon.
Authorities arrested 12 people on site, while an estimate of 18 others fled and escaped, according to a statement.
At 7:15 a.m. Thursday, sheriff’s deputies joined officers with the Hollister Police Department and agents with the United Narcotics Enforcement Team in executing a search warrant on a 30-acre corn field along Frye Lane. A statement from the sheriff’s office noted that the pot plants were concealed within the corn crops.
The marijuana had a potential street value of $225 million, according to the sheriff’s office team while authorities also recovered 800 to 1,000 pounds of drying and processed pot with an estimated value of $2 million to $3 million, according to authorities.
Officers recovered an array of weapons that included three assault rifles, multiple high-capacity magazines, two handguns, one shotgun, ammunition and military-grade body armor.
The sheriff’s office statement mentioned there was possible pollution in the adjacent creek due to fertilizer runoff and human feces, and authorities have notified state fish and wildlife officials.
Frye Lane is in the north part of San Benito County south of Shore Road.
Look back for more.
