Pot patches found growing near Ky. highway

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Kentucky state police and a county narcotics task force said they cut down close to 3,300 mature marijuana plants growing along an interstate highway.

The plants, growing in a half-dozen patches along Interstate 65 between Elizabethtown and Glendale, were cut down Monday after a month of reconnaissance on the part of anti-drug agents with the state police and the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force, the Elizabethtown News-Enterprise reported.

"This is not your typical pot patch," said task force agent Rob Green, pointing to an underground gas-powered water pump the growers used to water the plants.

Tools for large-scale growing, including a generator and waterlines, were also discovered at the sites, the News-Enterprise reported.

Terry Scott, a police counter-drug operator, said he noticed the patches during helicopter surveillance in the first week of an aerial marijuana eradication operation about a month ago.

Since spotting the site, police have unsuccessfully waited to catch the growers when they arrive to tend to the plants, the newspaper said.

Police said they've developed no leads on the growers' identities, but said they have evidence -- religious candles, food, Spanish labeled soap and a prayer written in Spanish -- suggesting a possible Latino connection.