MARIJUANA PLANTS FOUND IN SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST

FONTANA, Calif. (AP) -- More than 10,000 marijuana plants were uprooted
Tuesday in a remote area of the San Bernardino National Forest where
growers used a nearby stream to draw water for their elaborate irrigation
system.

The pot farm was discovered near Lytle Creek during a routine flyover by
authorities hunting for backcountry marijuana cultivation sites, said Chip
Patterson, spokesman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

There were 10,000 to 15,000 plants discovered, ranging from 6 to 12 feet
tall, he said. No one was arrested.

Patterson said authorities believe the farm is connected to three others
found in nearby Los Angeles, Ventura and Riverside counties.

"We believe that the same Mexican national cartel is behind this
operation," he said. "That is, they are apparently setting up, financing
and possibly hiring workers for all four operations."

Authorities believe as many as eight people camped in the area to maintain
the farm, although no one was in the area when they arrived. They are
continuing to investigate.