Authorities in Takeo province have launched a crackdown on illegal marijuana growers in nearly 70 locations in Kiri Vong district and discovered more than 16,000​ marijuana plants and 84 wells made to irrigate the crops.

Yang Dara, the deputry police chief of Kirivong district, said the crackdown started on Tuesday morning and authorities found 69 places where a total of 16,270 marijuana plants were growing in Chroy village in Preah Bat Choantok commune and 84 wells over an area of 5,075 square metres.

“Some​ of the marijuana had just recently been planted while other plants were older,” he said.

“After finding the plants we burned them. In this place the residents used to grow marijuana previously and it is hard for the police to crack down too because there are mountains and valleys.”

He added that the district police know the identity of some of the crop owners and are preparing documents to send to the court to take action against them.

Full story in Thursday’s paper.

• Tags: Kiri Vong district, marijuana, marijuana plants, Takeo province