SYRACUSE - Two Goshen men and a juvenile are in Kosciusko County Jail following an early Friday morning bust of a large marijuana growing operation.
Mariano Gonzalez, 38, and Mario Camacho, 44, both of Goshen, along with a juvenile, were arrested early Friday morning after Indiana State Police busted a marijuana growing operation in the area of CRs 950N and 500E.
Camacho and Gonzalez were both arrested for dealing and cultivating marijuana. Gonzalez also was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, while Camacho was also charged with driving while suspended and on an out-of-county warrant.
Gonzalez was held on a $5,000 bond while Camacho was held on a $2,000 bond.
ISP troopers arrested all three subjects as they were tending to an estimated 5,000 marijuana plants.
Senior Trooper Chad Larsh, who serves as the Bremen District marijuana eradication coordinator, received information that several marijuana plants were being grown in the rural area near Dewart Lake.
"This plot is one of the largest cultivated outdoor plots that I have come across," said Larsh.A single adult marijuana plant is valued at more than $1,000.
Trooper Dan Ringler said the plants were all less than 2 feet tall, making the harvest much more manageable. A mature plant is 7 to 8 feet tall.
The ISP is asking the public to report suspicious activity around crop fields and outbuildings where the possibility of marijuana cultivating is suspected.
The ISP Marijuana Tip Line number is 888-873-4694.
