Police in Florida seized 16 potted marijuana plants from a trail near an elementary school and left behind a note encouraging the owner to "identify and claim" their plants. Photo courtesy of the Gainesville Police Department

Police in Florida seized 16 potted marijuana plants from a trail near an elementary school and left behind a note encouraging the owner to "identify and claim" their plants. Photo courtesy of the Gainesville Police Department

Police in Florida seized 16 potted marijuana plants from a trail near an elementary school and left behind a note encouraging the owner to "identify and claim" their plants. Photo courtesy of the Gainesville Police Department

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Sept. 22 (UPI) -- A Florida police department said it is "holding on to" 16 potted marijuana plants found on a trail until the owner comes forward.

The Gainesville Police Department said in a Facebook post Officers Quimbayo and Holcomb responded Tuesday to the trail near Norton Elementary School after an off-duty Alachua County Sheriff Deputy out walking his dogs discovered the 16 individually-potted plants under a large bush near the pathway.


"The officers collected the plants and are storing them until the rightful owners can be found," the department said.

Police left a note behind at the scene, reading: "We have your weed. Call 911 to and claim it. Thanks, GPD."

"So -- if they are yours...please give us a call to set up a time that we can speak about them," the Facebook post reads.