An investigation was under way Thursday into a marijuana- growing operation on a burned-out property in rural Lakeside, where two women -- one 83, the other 61 -- were found living in tents, authorities said.



Deputies from the Santee Community Oriented Policing & Problem Solving Unit (C.O.P.P.S.) conducted an investigation and served a search warrant in the 12000 block of Old Barona Road about 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to San Diego County sheriff's Sgt. Craig Johnson.



A house on the property was destroyed during the Cedar Fire and was not rebuilt but deputies found five large, newly constructed sheds, he said in a statement.



Inside all five sheds were indoor marijuana grows, Johnson said, adding that cannabis plants were also being grown in outdoor green houses.



Authorities seized a total of 50 dried and cut marijuana plants, multiple jars of marijuana buds and 433 marijuana plants in various stages of growth.



Deputies also found what appeared to be psilocybin spores -- a naturally occurring psychedelic -- and a hash oil extraction lab, Johnson said.



The women were not arrested but additional suspects were being sought, and the investigation was continuing, according to the sergeant.



-City News Service



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