POINT PLEASANT — Last week, the Mason County Detachment of the West Virginia State Police, along with assistance from the Mason County Sheriff’s Department and New Haven Police Department, seized 3,400 marijuana plants during a five day search.

Each year the state police conducts their investigations. According to Sgt. Starcher of the Mason County Detachment of the West Virginia State Police, the search is important to the community.

“In order to keep drugs off the streets and out of the public hands and the kids’ hands, we conduct our yearly marijuana irradication.” Starcher said, adding that it has been a good year.

Although it is early for the harvest season, which is usually around September and October, the West Virginia National Guard “Raid Unit” and the state police helicopter flew early in the hunt for marijuana plants. The 3,400 plants were not as large as they would be, but 34 plots were still found.

Starcher encourages anyone with information about a location or person that is growing marijuana to contact the state police. He assures any caller that their identity will not be revealed and that they can call anonymously.

Last year, 24 people were arrested and a total of 10,000 plants were seized.

Those assisting in the irradication were Sgt. Steven Greene of the Mason County Sheriff’s Department and Chief Richard Gilkey of the New Haven Police Department.

If you have information, please contact the state police at 304-675-0850.