5,000 illegal marijuana plants, that were hiding in the secluded mountain terrain of San Mateo County, are now in possession of authorities following a raid of the area, according to law enforcement officials.

The plants, an estimated 5,070 in total, were located in a remote area of the San Francisco watershed and Skyline Ride Open Space area in San Mateo County, Monday afternoon. According to San Mateo County Sheriff’s Lt. Ray Lunny, the operation used a “sophisticated” irrigation system to tap into water resources surrounding the well supplied camping site.

The confiscated marijuana plants – all in various stages of growth – are worth an estimated $1.5 million.

Though the plants were seized, the suspects are still at large. According to Lunny, sleeping bags, hammocks and foodstuffs were found at the grow sites. A loaded .22 caliber rifle was also seized during an early reconnaissance mission in the watershed.

akoskey@sfexaminer.com