3,500 pot plants found in Santa Monica Mountains

Authorities say they have removed about 3,500 marijuana plants found growing in sensitive parkland in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The National Park Service said Wednesday that trash, pipes, camping equipment, fertilizer and pesticides also were removed Tuesday from three plantations. Two were in Malibu Creek State Park and one in the Zuma-Trancas Canyon area.

Park officials said that the plantations threatened the park’s ecosystem and disturbed wildlife and that growers pose a fire danger when they make illegal campfires. They said it costs up to $12,000 to clean up an acre of cultivated pot, using up money that could have been spent on public programs and scientific research.