Cannabis Sativa Plants Seized From Hebron Wooded Area

McHenry County Sheriffs Office announced today the seizure of approximately 2,000 cannabis sativa plants from a wooded area in unincorporated Hebron, On May 11, 2013, Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the area of Nichols Rd. and Hillside Rd., Hebron for a trespassing complaint. A concerned citizen had stumbled upon a campsite in the middle of the woods and startled two unidentified Hispanic males who then fled the area on foot.

Sheriff’s Deputies were unable to locate the offenders, but did locate two cleared out areas in the dense woods that were being prepared for the planting of this illicit crop. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit was called in to process the scene and recovered approximately 2,000 cannabis sativa Seedlings, fertilizer, soil, hoses, food, water, and camping equipment.

Undersheriff Andrew Zinke estimates the street value of the plants at  $1,000,000 (if harvested).The Undersheriff would like to inform residents that as summer approaches, persons involved in growing cannabis head into rural areas to tend to crops of cannabis plants. In recent years the Narcotics Unit has recovered over 20,000 cannabis plants from outdoor cannabis grow operations. Typically these illicit crops are located in areas such as: swamps, corn fields, wooded areas, along rivers, and on rural rental properties with large acreages. Cannabis

Crops can be harvested as early as August and as late as the beginning of October. Common indicators of outdoor cannabis grow operations include:

Abandoned vehicles parked on side roads or trails

People observed walking in remote areas for no apparent reason

Bags of fertilizer, planting trays or chemicals located in remote areas

Well trampled trails in wooded or swamp areas

Cleared out areas in swamps, wooded areas or corn fields

Numerous signs appear out of nowhere indicating “No Trespassing

Be aware that in some cases outdoor cannabis grows are guarded or protected by “booby” traps. If discovered, contact law enforcement immediately. Do not enter the grow location, turn around and immediately leave the area the same way you came in.

Residents are encouraged to contact your local law enforcement to report suspected narcotic activity and other suspicious activity. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact McHenry County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-762-7867 (STOP)