Polk County authorities continue to investigate the discovery of a sophisticated marijuana growing system along the Trinity River that was stumbled upon by a deer hunter maintaining a lease last Saturday.

The operation was found between Shepherd and Livingston. Yesterday, law enforcement and inmates from as far away as Harris County teamed up to uproot over 44,000 plants.

As the fields were being harvested, 17 additional fields were found. Investigators are looking for fingerprints and other forensic evidence at a working camp to find the parties responsible.

Operations like this one are said to be a problem throughout East Texas.

The marijuana growing fields had been cut out in the woods and were being irrigated.

Authorities say whoever was overseeing the fields appeared to have left quickly, with the only means of getting to and from the location was by boat.

The fields are reported to be so isolated that helicopters are being used to fly the harvest out.

Around 1 p.m. Monday, several suspects were spotted north of Goodrich on foot, with a Hispanic male taken into custody along U.S.Hwy. 59.

In all, the count could easily go over 100,000 marijuana plants, with no dollar amount assessed.