Ore. pot seizure yields plants worth $120M

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — A southern Oregon marijuana raid has resulted in the seizure of more than 40,000 plants worth an estimated $120 million.

The Daily Courier reported the pot was found in the forest west of Selma last week.

Jackson County sheriff’s deputies hauled the marijuana away on Saturday while deputies from neighboring Josephine County patrolled the roads.

The Jackson County sheriff’s office coordinates marijuana eradication efforts in southwest Oregon, using federal funds.

Sheriff Mike Winters said the regional effort involves several agencies that work together to prevent growers from merely shifting their operations into a neighboring county.

At least five arrests resulted from the marijuana growing operation, located near popular recreation areas along the Illinois River.

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Information from: Daily Courier, http://www.thedailycourier.com