Staff at Stanford’s Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve — normally a refuge for native plants and animals — were surprised to find a certain plant growing on the land last month: marijuana. The San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force was soon called in to destroy the 2,900 baby pot plants, part of one of Stanford’s most unexpected pot busts.
The 1,189-acre Biological Preserve, located southwest of Stanford’s campus, allows visitors in the park but is fenced to keep out unwanted company. Employees became suspicious after noticing several cuts in the fencing and, upon further investigation, discovered on June 12 what appeared to be a field of marijuana. They immediately contacted the police.
The police received a search warrant for the preserve and raided the suspected crops on June 25, confirming that the suspicious plants were, indeed, pot.