Authorities in Garfield County, Utah, raided a pot farm with 1,800 marijuana plants cultivated through a sophisticated system of pipes, tarps and propane tanks.
But no arrests were made in the Friday morning raid, possibly because growers were spooked after recent arrests at two other large marijuana farms in neighboring counties.
Deputies and officers from several agencies seized the plants and equipment 5:30 a.m. 14 miles northeast of Panguitch on Mount Dutton, on the right-hand fork of an area known as Sanford Creek.
Because of the ruggedness of the terrain, a Utah Highway Patrol helicopter helped remove the plants. The helicopter made 12 trips. The marijuana plants will be taken to an animal dump, where they will be doused with kerosene and burned.
In all, 62 officers from different local, state and federal agencies raided the farm.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
