Fairfield County, SC (WLTX) - Thursday afternoon law enforcement agents found about 631 full grown marijuana plants off highway 321.

"We got here as soon as we could," said Chief Deputy Keith Lewis with Fairfield County Sheriff's Department.

At about 3 o'clock Thursday afternoon the SLED helicopter was returning to Columbia when it spotted what looked like a field of marijuana in Fairfield County.

"The helicopter did see an individual but he ran when he heard the helicopter," said Lewis.

The suspect got away and left a field of more than 600 marijuana plants in a wooded area about 2 miles away from highway 321.

"We got the blood hounds out trying to track to see if we can catch anyone, we were unsuccessful in catching anyone."

The area had a tent with food and water, Lewis says that's not uncommon.

"Its the typical grow that we are seeing now days where they are staying overnight or staying at least 3 or 4 days at a time and they do have several camp sites here."

Lewis says in his more than 25 years in law enforcement, "These are some the largest plants I have ever seen."

He says growing marijuana is a nationwide crime that many commit, but that rural counties like his...are a prime space for growers.

"Fairfield County is a very large county with a lot of woods and hunting area," said Lewis.

"We feel good about getting it off the street but of course we want to make an arrest and catch the individual who is doing this ."

Law Enforcemnt is still investigating and looking for the suspects.