Secret $2 million pot farm found on Texas rancher's property

On July 1, 2014, Chambers County deputies discovered a large pot-growing operation on a plot of land that was being leased from the Army Corps of Engineers, according to a sheriff's office press release. (Chambers County Sheriff's Office) less On July 1, 2014, Chambers County deputies discovered a large pot-growing operation on a plot of land that was being leased from the Army Corps of Engineers, according to a sheriff's office press release. ... more Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Secret $2 million pot farm found on Texas rancher's property 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

On Tuesday Chambers County deputies discovered a large pot-growing operation on a plot of land that was being leased from the Army Corps of Engineers, according to a sheriff's office press release.



Just after 1 p.m. Tuesday Sheriff Brian C. Hawthorne received a call from a rancher informing him that he had noticed suspicious activity on his property, which he was leasing from the federal government.



The wooded property, located in western Chambers County off Gou Hole Rd., is less than a mile from the FM 565.



The sheriff and the rancher searched the clearing together and noticed two men running away from a small campsite on the property.



Upon further investigation deputies say they discovered approximately 5,500 marijuana plants with the help of the DPS' Special Crime Unit and their Air Wing Unit, as the area was not accessible by vehicle. Deputies called for additional support once the magnitude of the growing operation was realized. The plants were in various stages of growth and it appeared that the operation had been in process for some time.



According to deputies the street value of the plants is approximately $2 million.

Lt. Dan Houghton, sheriff's office spokesperson, said Wednesday that investigators do not yet know just how long the operation had been going on, but agree that pot had been growing out there for some time.

When the two men fled the camp site, Houghton said, they left behind food, toiletries, and clothes. Investigating the scene had to be done gingerly, he said.



"We had to be careful where and how we stepped because in lots of instances these operations have booby traps set up to protect the area," Houghton said. There were no weapons found on the camp site, nor anything that could be used to ID the suspects, he said.



The Chambers County Criminal Investigations Division continues to investigate the scene.