Record-size marijuana bust at Fort Hunter Liggett

On Thursday, a major marijuana grow was busted on federal property at Fort Hunter Liggett, according to police.

FHL police said a record $16.5 million dollars worth of marijuana was eradicated after routine aerial surveys by agents with the U.S. Forest Service.

Police said 5,523 plants were found in the Los Padres National Forest, which is considered ideal weather for growing the plant.

Because the area is so vast, FHL said these types of marijuana grows can only be seen from a helicopter.

Drug cartels from Mexico and China are known to employ “field workers” who are armed to protect the grow, posing a threat to troops on the military base, according to FHL.

Police said there was also a significant impact to the environment in the area where the grow was found because cartels tend to use toxic fertilizers and pesticides banned in the U.S.