BRYAN CO, OK-A large stash of marijuana found in Bryan County now authorities are looking for the people responsible. Sheriff's deputies say the plants were found out in the open on, but the growers are still on the loose. Rita Kotey has the story.

Police and the Bryan County Drug Task Force found the 236 marijuana plants, potted and scattered along Wilson Street just outside of Durant.

The plants have a street value of about half a million dollars.
Undersheriff Ken Golden says investigators are trying to figure out why the plants were left out in the open.

"It’s possible it may be revenge. Maybe and angry spouse or somebody just getting even with a partner. But this stuff was really taken care of, they knew what they were doing," Golden said.

He says whoever is responsible for the plants was most likely and experienced grower.

"This was grown indoors and taken care of maybe in a large of some sort but this was well taken care of. There are no signs of wind dame or bugs or anything," Golden said.

"Marijuana today is probably ten times more potent than it was in the 70's," investigator Jay Whitney said.

Criminal Investigator Jay Whitney with the Grayson County Sheriff's Office said growing marijuana is becoming a detailed operation, requiring a lot of equipment. It's becoming more common South of the Red River, as well.

"They are buying lights, watering systems, timers and climate control systems and they are getting very elaborate with their grow operations," Whitney said.

Whitney says the growers' lifestyle often leads investigators right to the criminals.

"You watch for people who pay in cash, you watch for odd activity hours, for the windows being closed up all the time, for lights coming on at odd hours of the night,” Whitney said.

He says this time of year many plants are popping up across Texoma. Already this summer there have been several large busts including one in the city of Sherman, one in Marshall County, and one in Pushmataha County that's being called the largest pot bust in Oklahoma history. Twenty six thousand plants were confiscated in that bust.
Whitney says he and Law Enforcement across Texoma have a message for marijuana growers.

"It’s only a matter of time before we come, before we come get you," Whitney said.