A joint operation involving the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. Highway Patrol and N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) discovered approximately 525 marijuana plants worth an estimated street value of $1.26 million growing in Polk County last week.

Sheriff’s officers said last Thursday, Aug. 2 a highway patrol helicopter discovered two areas in which marijuana plants were growing.

The largest area was discovered in a wooded area of Saluda with 505 marijuana plants.

Another area was discovered in Mill Spring with approximately 20 plants.

Officers said the plants discovered were approximately three feet in height.

One marijuana plant has an estimated street value $2,400, officers said.