From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — UNC Asheville police recently revealed that they found 28 marijuana plants growing in a wooded area of the university’s Millennial Campus, following a tip from grounds crews clearing the site in late July, Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on July 28

Officers searched the area over the July 25-27 weekend and found the plants in an undeveloped section off W.T. Weaver Boulevard, UNCA police reported.

“The marijuana plants were in varying stages of growth; some mature, others newly planted,” News13 noted. “In total, police estimate the grow operation could have yielded between 3 to 5 pounds of marijuana.”

As for the case, UNCA Police Chief Daran Dodd told News 13, “They (the pot farmers) were actively growing in the area. Our officers pulled the plants, took custody, and we’re conducting further investigation now.”

No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.

“The discovery happened near Hanger Hall, a private all-girls middle school, but police say there is no evidence connecting the school to the grow site,” News 13 stated. “The location even surprised investigators.”

To that end, Dodd told the TV station, “We were shocked by that, ourselves, that it was so close to an open area like this. But with thick woods around, it was almost impossible to see from the road.”

News 13 then pointed out, “Dodd said that underdeveloped parts of campus like this one can be difficult to monitor.”

Further Dodd told the station, “We’ve had individuals camping out there before, and other illicit activity. We do patrol those areas, but it’s tough when they’re hard to access.”

News 13 added, “A university spokesperson said the plants have been removed and the area is now secure.”