ARCHIVED - Large marijuana plantation discovered hidden amongst Calasparra forest

Two arrests have been made and around 3,000 cannabis plants were seized by Guardia Civil officers in Calasparra in north-west Murcia.

Guardia Civil officers from the Region of Murcia alongside Local Police of Calasparra have dismantled a huge marijuana plantation hidden in a mountainous area of Calasparra, according to a press release on July 2.

As part of an operation aimed at stopping the illegal production of drugs, officers seized around 3,000 cannabis plants near the Almadenes canyon, which the two people detained had attempted to  camouflage by locating the pots in amongst the pine forest in a little-transited area of woodland.

Deposits of water used to feed a sprinkle-type system to cultivate the cannabis plants were found covered by camouflaged bamboo lids, while plants were concealed amongst the shade of the wooded areas almost disappearing into the greenery around as they grew down towards the Segura river.

Officers even found that the plantation had several dugouts in which the "gardeners" could keep watch over their haul without being observed and lived in tents on the site in order to guard the stock as it increased in value. They had also used the time on site to prepare "escape routes" via which they could leave the site if discovered.

The plantation had been located in an area in which there was little chance of accidental discovery, and was only accessible from the river in a steeply sloping section of woodland.The two individuals detained to date used a kayak to transfer materials to and from the site, minimising the risk of discovery.

Unfortunately, the plantation is visible from the air.........

Once the police became aware of its existence, an operation was mounted in order to detain the  individuals concerned, and culminated in agents trecking several kilometres across country in order to surprise the two individuals who were arrested while they were sleeping.

Image: Guardia Civil