4,000 Pot Plants Found In North Chicago

By Anna Deem in News on Jul 31, 2010 6:30PM

Last week during a flyover, members of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group discovered close to 4,000 marijuana plants being grown in a heavily wooded area in North Chicago--just east of U.S. Highway 41 and north of Illinois Highway 137. MEG Deputy Director told the Chicago Tribune that the plants had grown to be about three feet tall.

While trying to determine the best way into the growing area around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Padilla told the Tribune that authorities saw an individual tending to the plants. They chased the suspect, but the person got away. No other suspects have been apprehended. Meanwhile, authorities have been uprooting the plants so they don't grow back, and burning them with diesel fuel to ensure that they burn effectively. Padilla told the Tribune that officers "made a very large impact on (the) operation," as each plant can result in anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 in sales.