Two Men, Teen Arrested After Lincoln County Marijuana Bust

According to court records, investigators with the Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force discovered the large outdoor marijuana cultivation operation southwest of Wellston.

Tuesday, November 20th 2012, 3:33 pm

By: News 9


Two men and a teenager are behind bars, accused of operating a major marijuana growing operation in Lincoln County. According to court records, investigators with the Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force discovered the large outdoor marijuana cultivation operation southwest of Wellston. It consisted of a growing area, a processing area, and what appeared to be a camp where people were living.

"There were tents out there where six individuals were working 12 hour days, "said Richard Smothermon, the District Attorney for Lincoln County. "It's just huge."

Court papers go on to say investigators seized approximately 700 pounds of harvested marijuana.

"This was a large growing operation," said Smothermon. "The grow that we found is consistent with grows found in other states all of which have been linked back to Mexican cartels."

Authorities arrested 34-year-old Mario Valencia Ochoa, 22-year-old Jesus Arturo Torres-Barraza, and 17-year-old Juan Jose Gutierrez-Campos.

Campos said he had lived in the camp site for three weeks with Barraza. Barraza admitted the same. Court papers say they were to be paid $200.00 a day for their work at the site, but were never actually paid because police had seized the marijuana.

See the exclusive video of the massive marijuana growing operation for yourself today on News 9 at Four and 5.

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