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CENTERVILLE -- Hikers discovered a marijuana farm just miles away from a residential neighborhood in Davis County. Investigators began removing the plants Sunday.
In my experience, we definitely haven't had anything like this.
–Lt. Mark Chatlin
County investigators are working with state and federal agencies to find the growers behind the farm. They confiscated more than 12,000 plants.
Officials with the Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force say this was their biggest bust in recent years.
"In my experience, we definitely haven't had anything like this," said Lt. Mark Chatlin.
The grow was discovered in rugged terrain just two miles from a Centerville neighborhood. Many residents in the area heard the helicopter Sunday morning and wondered what was going on.
- Marijuana plants uniform in height and size, spaced evenly
- Camp area with fertilizer
- Harvested, drying Marijuana buds hanging upside down
- Kitchen area with propane tank & stove
- Potting soil and fertilizer bags
- Gas powered water pump
- Painted pipe valve leading from a water source to the garden
- Rolls of water pipe
They never expected a pot farm, and the growers never expected to get caught.
"I think they felt pretty confident because it is such a rugged area and it it's not a very well-used canyon," said Chatlin.
But Saturday, a couple of hikers in the area spotted suspicious vegetation and reported it. Authorities found the farm above the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
"I have four kids and they hike up there all the time," said resident Troy Carlson. "I mean the plants don't concern me, but the people growing it being up there concerns me.
Davis County narcotics, the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Drug Enforcement Administration worked together and moved the marijuana plants out of the area Sunday.
DPS crews made several drops, including one that was solely pipes. Investigators say the growers had a very sophisticated irrigation system.
The growers diverted water from nearby creeks, using hoses that stretched down the hillside.
Investigators say the farm was large enough to have three to four separate plots. The marijuana was still immature, ranging in size from eight to 14 inches in height
"I would say they probably planted them the same time people started planting their gardens down around here in the foothills," Chatlin said.
There was also a small campsite that had been recently used by the growers. Investigators do not know where the culprits are now.
Davis County officials say the plants were transported to a burn plant in Layton. Several were kept as evidence.
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E-mail: ngonzales@ksl.com
