Police cite drought for marijuana finds

SELLERSBURG, Ind. -- Police say marijuana growing operations in southern Indiana are easy to spot from the air because of the drought.

An airplane pilot guided troopers on the ground through browning forests and corn fields Tuesday to uncover grow sites in Clark, Scott and Harrison counties. The troopers cut down more than 100 marijuana plants.

Sgt. Jerry Goodin told The Courier-Journal the resilient green marijuana plants "stick out like a sore thumb."

Trooper Mike Bennett told The News and Tribune that marijuana can flourish in harsh conditions, pointing out, "It's not called weed for nothing."

Bennett said the seized plants will be destroyed once a burn ban is lifted.

He said the owners of property where marijuana grows are rarely arrested, because most "have no idea that it's growing on their land."