Drug Operation Near Eel River Caused Environmental Damage

Mendocino County authorities say a marijuana growing operation discovered near the Eel River may have caused $1 million in environmental damage.

A sheriff’s spokesman says when deputies served warrants on the 2,000-plant indoor growing operation near Highway 162 Wednesday, they found hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel and other petroleum waste had been dumped into an open pit a half mile uphill from the river.

Authorities have arrested two Southern California men they say ran the operation.

Thirty-three-year-old Marco Guerra of Downey and 29-year-old Anthony Kim of La Mirada are being held on suspicion of manufacturing illegal substances, and being armed in the commission of a felony.

Information from: The Press Democrat, http://www.pressdemo.com