8,000 marijuana plants found in Gopher Canyon; 40 more plants found in Fallbrook's Santa Margarita Ecological Preserve

SAN DIEGO - More than 8,500 marijuana plants worth an estimated $4.6 million were seized from three rural locations in the North County over two days, authorities announced today.

Members of the San Diego Narcotics Task Force made the seizures on Sept. 24 and 25, according to San Diego County sheriff's Lt. Hank Turner.

About 40 plants were found at the Santa Margarita Ecological Preserve in Fallbrook; 354 plants were found on a open-space hillside near Wildcat Canyon and San Vicente roads in Ramona; and more than 8,000 plants were found in the Gopher Canyon area east of Vista, Turner said in a statement.

Authorities also found an encampment and an illegal dumping site for trash, pesticides and chemicals in the Gopher Canyon area, he said.

No arrests have been reported yet.

Anyone with information about this case can call the Sheriff's Department non-emergency line at (858)565-5200. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Call Crime Stoppers at (888)580-8477.