KLAMATH, Calif. (AP) – Officials have destroyed about 55,000 growing marijuana plants on or near Yurok tribal lands in the last two weeks and the eradication efforts will continue next summer.

Yurok Vice Chairwoman Susan Masten tells the Times Standard of Eureka authorities also seized 1,000 pounds of processed marijuana, made seven arrests and discovered one hash oil lab.

She say authorities saw evidence Mexican cartels may be involved in some of the grows.

Masten says the marijuana eradication efforts will be done every summer until growers leave the area.

The Yurok Tribe says in a press release the main purpose of the raids was to return all water possible to the Klamath River and communities downstream from grow sites.

–––

Information from: Times-Standard, http://www.times-standard.com