Police destroyed approximately 5,000 fully grown cannabis trees in the La Lune forest in Moruga on Tuesday, following an aerial survey that identified two illegal cultivation sites. Officers said the combined fields covered about 1.5 acres and had an estimated street value of $5 million.
The operation was coordinated by Assistant Commissioner of Police Tewarie of the Criminal Investigations Branch. Teams from the Jungle Operations Team, the Southern Division Task Force and Moruga Police Station carried out the ground operation. The Police Aerial Unit provided drone reconnaissance that located the two separate plots before officers moved in.
Police reported that officers found two contiguous cannabis fields containing roughly 5,000 mature plants. Investigators measured the area at approximately 1.5 acres, which implies a planting density near 3,333 plants per acre. Using the police estimate of $5 million in street value, the seized plants average about $1,000 in street value per tree.
Law enforcement crews destroyed the plants by burning them on site. Officers also removed and destroyed irrigation gear, several water containers and other items identified as cultivation equipment. Police said the destroyed items were consistent with sustained outdoor cultivation in a remote forested area.
No arrests were reported during the exercise. Police said they continued to process the site for evidence and to pursue leads on those responsible for planting and maintaining the fields. The Criminal Investigations Branch will review recovered materials and intelligence gathered during the aerial and ground operation.
Details on how long the plantation had been in place, or who owned the land, were not immediately available. Police said the location in the La Lune forest is remote and required coordinated logistics for the teams involved. The use of drones reduced the time needed to locate the fields and helped officers plan safe access routes.
The police release emphasized the scale of the plantation by citing the total acreage, plant count and the estimated market value. Those figures provide concrete measures of the operation’s scope: two fields, 1.5 acres total, 5,000 mature cannabis plants and an estimated $5 million street value.
Investigators destroyed materials they believed were used to water and sustain the plants, including large-capacity containers and irrigation lines. Police did not release quantities of equipment destroyed beyond noting several containers and assorted cultivation tools were removed or burned.
Officials said follow-up work would include analyzing any physical evidence collected and checking registration or property records in the area to identify possible suspects. The Criminal Investigations Branch will also review drone footage and field notes from the Jungle Operations Team and Southern Division Task Force for actionable intelligence.
The operation demonstrates a coordinated use of aerial surveillance and specialized teams to locate and remove large outdoor cannabis grow sites in forested terrain. Police reported no injuries and no public safety incidents during the exercise.
Authorities encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activity, providing phone contacts for local stations. Police noted that destroying large outdoor grows removes product intended for illicit sale and removes infrastructure that can support further illegal cultivation.
Police did not provide a timeline for when any charges might be filed, citing ongoing investigative steps. The department said it will issue additional updates if arrests are made or if investigators identify persons responsible for the plantation.
