Deputies dispose of 47 tons of illegal marijuana plants

Photos courtesy of Riverside Co. Sheriff's Dept.

Story updated with final totals of illegal items seized or disposed of, number of arrests:

In an operation conducted throughout the Perris area by nearly 400 law enforcement personnel, officers disposed of 47 tons of marijuana plants discovered at 56 illegal marijuana cultivation sites on Thursday, authorities said.

Serving search warrants at the locations, officers confiscated 47,939 marijuana plants, according to a Sheriff’s Department news release. Two butane honey oil labs were located, 71 firearms were seized and 49 arrests were made.

According to the news release, "The mission of this operation was to combat the ongoing problem of illegal marijuana cultivation sites throughout Riverside County."

The operation did not include licensed businesses with permits to grow marijuana legally, according to the news release.