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RIVERSIDE – Approximately 500 pounds of marijuana was removed from a homeless encampment at the Santa Ana River bottom authorities said.

On Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at around 9:00 a.m. Riverside Police went to a wooded area just north of Martha McLean-Anza Narrows Park as a result of a follow-up investigation. The investigation was a result of a report of a subject brandishing a firearm on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at around 5:30 p.m. When officers arrived to the area, they did not find the suspect but did locate several large marijuana plants in the homeless encampment. The Riverside Police Department’s Narcotics Unit was informed of the finding and organized the follow-up investigation and operation.

The Riverside Police Department’s METRO Team (SWAT) also responded for the follow-up investigation to ensure the safety of those involved in the removal operation. “Weapons, along with evidence of the construction of improvised security devices, such as booby traps, were discovered at the encampment,” Riverside Police officials said. “During the search, two people were detained, identified, and later released pending further investigation.”

Around 30 mature marijuana plants, some over 10-feet tall were removed from the location. Authorities said if the marijuana reached harvest, the street value would be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Detective M. Bucy at (951) 353-7221or mbucy@riversideca.gov. Those wishing to remain anonymous can email rpdtips@riversideca.gov or utilize the Riverside Police Department’s mobile app “Submit a Tip” feature while referencing incident number P18156761.