Created: 7/30/2010 2:46:37 PM 
Lexington County, SC (WLTX) -- Deputies say they found about 2,000 marijuana plants growing in an area off od U.S. 178 in Pelion, one of the largest seizures in Lexington County's history.
Narcotics officers with the Lexington County Sheriff's Department say the plants covered almost an acre of land, and the land's owner did not know someone was growing drugs there.
According to investigators, they have not yet found the people responsible for the marijuana plants, but they say the operation was abandoned after officers conducted a raid Thursday. Deputies were able to destroy most of the plants when they discovered them.
Investigators say the people responsible had planted marijuana plants in areas where trees had been clear cut with hand saws, and gasoline-powered pumps fed water from a creek to irrigate the plants. Investigators say they also found devices to help dry the marijuana leaves for distribution.
Deputies say the plants were not easily accessible, and could not use vehicles or even ATVs to access the plots of land. Apparently, plants were found in thick wooded areas, swamp land and near a creek.
Investigators say they found the marijuana by swimming through the creek and by conducting surveillance using a helicopter.
If you would like to report drug activity in your community, you are urged to call CrimeStoppers of the Midlands or text a tip to "CRIMES" beginning with the term "TIPSC." However you choose, the information you provide may be given anonymously.
