Large Marijuana Field Found in Smith County

GLADEWATER – A large marijuana growing operation has been uncovered in northern Smith County. It is south of Gladewater off County Road 373, near the Smith-Upshur county line. Over 4,000 plants, four to seven feet tall, have been found, along with an irrigation system. Water was being taken from a nearby creek. Investigators tell us several people have been seen living at a campsite on the property. They were not there when authorities raided the field and no arrests have been made. The owner of the property had no idea that these plants were being grown on their property.

According to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, this particular operation is similar to others located throughout East Texas over the past two years. There was irrigation installed and the plants had been fertilized it appears throughout the summer. Tents were present on the location as well as food and water for the illicit marijuana tenders.