An investigation into several hemp fields in California uncovered 10 million illicit cannabis plants with a “black market” value of over $1 billion, which authorities seized and destroyed, officials said Thursday. The investigators searched 11 different fields in the Arvin area, located about 100 miles north of Los Angeles, on Oct. 25 after obtaining a search warrant, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook. HELICOPTER COVERING SPAIN'S LA VUELTA CYCLING RACE EXPOSES ROOFTOP WEED PLANTATION, 40 CANNABIS PLANTS SEIZEDThe plants were grown under the appearance of a legitimate hemp operation, the sheriff’s office said. The levels tested “well above” the legal 0.3 percent limit for industrial hemp production, essentially making the plants cannabis, authorities said. Industrial hemp production is legal in Kern County as long as the THC levels comply with the 0.3 percent limit, according to the sheriff’s office.

Source: Fox News November 03, 2019 19:06 UTC