More than 20,000 pot plants found near South Bend

SOUTH BEND — One of the biggest marijuana grows in Western Washington has been found in Pacific County.

Drug investigators from two counties say they found 20,000 pot plants growing by a campsite with irrigation equipment and firearms. They add that a 48-year-old man carrying a loaded 10 mm handgun was arrested and others fled into the woods about 10 miles southeast of South Bend.

Grays Harbor County Undersheriff Richard R. “Rick” Scott says it’s the biggest marijuana operation ever found in the area. Pacific County Sheriff John L. Didion adds that the plants would be worth about $60 million at harvest, although most of the plants were still young.

Didion says the marijuana grow was spotted from a military helicopter used by drug investigators.