State Park Pot Farm Bust Prompts Safety Warning
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The discovery of marijuana growing in a Minnesota state park was unusual but authorities say it's not unheard of for clandestine growers to plant pot on public lands in the state. So they say hunters and hikers should be alert when they head into the woods this fall.
A hiker's tip Sunday led officers to 187 marijuana plants in Maplewood State Park in western Minnesota. Detective Rod Jensen said Wednesday there've been no arrests.
Richard Sprouse, spokesman for the enforcement division of the Department of Natural Resources, says he can't recall a similar discovery at a state park.
But Dave Bjerga, assistant superintendent for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, says pot farms are sporadically found on public lands in Minnesota, so it's a safety issue for folks using the woods.
(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
