$1.7M marijuana bust at 'campsite'

COVERT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Van Buren County authorities have busted the second of two very large marijuana grow operations located less than a mile apart.

A tip on Nov. 9 led the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit to a wooded area in the 78000 block of 38th Avenue in Covert Township.

That is where detectives found 1,732 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $1.7 million.

Detectives used quad runners to get to the area where trees had been cut, the plot of land was cleared and cultivated, and the plants were planted.

There were additional areas that had been cleared in the past and used to grow marijuana, according to a news release.

There were some nearby campsites with empty fertilizer bags, empty food wrappers and other items, police said.

Also near the grow operations was a large hole, which appeared to be dug by hand, and contained wall supports, and buckets used for watering the plants.

Detectives eradicated the marijuana plants.  

Investigators believe that this grow operation may be connected to a similar one busted less than a mile away on Aug.  22, when police eradicated 1,781 marijuana plants in the 78000 block of 40th Avenue.

Police continue to try and identify suspects in both cases.

If you can help solve these investigations then you are asked to call the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office at 269.657.3101, Crime Stoppers at 1.800.342.7867 or Silent Observer at 269.343.2100.