The LAist has the story on two marijuana plantations recently discovered in backcountry areas of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Earlier this week, officials removed 2,088 plants from Malibu Creek State Park and another 1,421 from Zuma Canyon, with a street value estimated at over $10 million.

These plantations have been popping up with more frequency lately in parklands, both in local parks as well as National Forests and even National Parks themselves. They are incredibly destructive to the local wildlife and land, not to mention any wayward hikers who happen to stumble across them. Each site will cost between ten and twelve thousand dollars to clean up, which comes out of the already strained park budgets.

No word yet on whether or not they’ve found the owners of the plantations, but I hope they do. Parks shouldn’t have to pay for their negligence.

Tags: bust, marijuana plantation, pot farm, Santa Monica Mountains