Antigo, Wis., police and Langlade County sheriff’s deputies watched as $500,000 in marijuana went up in smoke at a local gravel pit.

The cannabis bonfire Wednesday night was the result of drug trafficking in the northwoods over the past several years.

Local authorities have been particularly effective in finding marijuana growing operations in recent years, said county drug enforcement office Dan Bauknecht.

Officers burned 800 pot plants and 300 pounds of marijuana, including some already in blocks and ready for sale.

Authorities said they also tossed a half pound of cocaine, some heroin, Ecstasy tablets, methamphetamine and other drugs into the fire.