The police-led effort to destroy a massive marijuana grow operation discovered by a police helicopter pilot Tuesday is reportedly complete on Chicago's Far South Side.
CBS Chicago reports that, as of Friday, the pot farm -- which spans two football fields -- has been chopped down and burnt. The land is now being treated with formula and wood chips that should prohibit future marijuana crops from sprouting there.
On Tuesday, police discovered the field, located near Stony Island and 105th Street near the Bishop Ford Freeway, from the air. It contained a dense crop of about 1,000 marijuana plants, some of which police described as 10 feet tall and "as big as Christmas trees."
The marijuana is estimated to have had a street value of between $7 million and $10 million, according to various media reports. An early estimate placed the relatively low-quality weed's value at only $1 million, WGN reports.
Police told ABC Chicago that the find may be the largest cannabis discovery in Chicago's history. The bust attracted national media attention, including that of satirical newspaper The Onion in its "More American Voices" column.
"Are they sure it’s not oregano? One time I bought a field of marijuana from a guy, and when I got it home, it was just a vast field of oregano," "Theadora Melnick, racehorse trainer" is quoted in the column.
One officer told the Associated Press that police helicopters have flown over the field "all the time" without previously noticing the massive grow site. The marijuana patch was largely surrounded by tall grass and weeds.
Related
Before You Go
