By Amber Lee
Torrance County, NM (KOAT/CNN) - People hunting in New Mexico came across a sophisticated marijuana growing operation.
Police say they've since seized 400 pot plants from the area.
It's a highly sophisticated marijuana grow that no one knew about until Monday.
Investigators say they were tipped off when two hunters came across it after hiking through the forest just west of Tajique. The men guarding the operation fired on the hunters with assault rifles.
"We've got this whole Humvee packed full and compressed down," said Sheriff Heath White.
For nearly six hours Tuesday, Torrance County Sheriff deputies, APD and state police officers dug up and cleared away 401 marijuana plants on private property, an operation the sheriff says didn't sprout up overnight.
"These plants were cared for. There is a whole drip system, water system. Very intricate and a lot of money spent on these plants," said White.
"I'm pretty shocked that there were so much," said resident Fidel Lesperance.
Lesperance says it's not the first time someone has tried to grow pot in the hills nearby. The sheriff confirms that.
"We get grows up here quite a bit. And grows in other areas too. One of our largest grows was just outside the city of Moriarty," said White.
This recent bust means unwanted guests and has one woman asking for help.
"I think they need to patrol up here a little bit more," said Barbara Bowden.
As for the plants, "Right now going to take samples of plants. Count them again. And they are going to be destroyed," said White.
Police are searching for the people who shot at the hunters.
The two were not hurt.
KOAT/CNN