1,700 pot plants seized at 'campsite'

COVERT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Police eradicated a total of 1,781 marijuana plants from a wooded property in Van Buren County.

Someone went to the Covert Township Police Department at 4 p.m. on Aug 22 to alert authorities about the possible marijuana growing operation in the 78000 block of 40th Avenue.

Police Chief Rick Winans then notified the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit.

Authorities used ATVs to get to the site where several trails were observed along the tree line with marijuana plants being planted on both sides of the trails.  

Detectives noticed what appeared to be small campsites at the scene.

Spaced out along the trails were holes, which were dug and contained water, according to a news release. Some of the holes had buckets by them. There were empty fertilizer bags and empty food wrappers at the site too.

Due to the size of the area, a Michigan State Police helicopter was used the following day and police spotted additional marijuana plants.

Drug Enforcement Agency officials used a helicopter from the Chicago area on Aug. 27 and saw even more marijuana plants.

Van Buren County detectives continue to try and identify possible suspects.

You are asked to call the sheriff's department at 269.657.3101, Covert Township police at 269.764.8100, Crime Stoppers at 1.800.342.7867, or Silent Observer at 269.343.2100 if you can help solve this crime.