Park rangers destroyed 5,432 marijuana plants in a raid Tuesday on Sequoia National Park grounds, the National Park Service reported.
Rangers discovered the large pot farm at about 2:30 p.m. after hearing gunshots near the area where the plants were discovered, the National Park Service reported.
Park officials said a variety of plants were found, including those that were genetically-altered. The 5,432 plants that were removed had an estimated value of $14 million.Officials said they will continue to remove plants as part of their investigation.
Mineral King Road was closed to motorists during the raid Tuesday.
Those needing access to Mineral King Valley and private residences will be escorted several times a day by park rangers until further notice. Arrangements can be made by calling park dispatchers at 565-3195, the NPS reported.
Last week, Deputy Gil Flores of the Twin Peaks Sheriff Department discovered 150 Marijuana plants after he investigated a suspicious circumstances call in Cedarpines Park. Kurt Norlander placed the call after his chocolate Labrador, Maple, had eaten a large quantity of Marijuana.
