COLFAX (CBS13) – Placer County sheriff’s detectives cut down 16,721 marijuana plants growing near Colfax on Wednesday.

The illegal grow was discovered by detectives during a helicopter surveillance mission, the sheriff’s office said. The plants were growing on a large plot of private property that borders Bureau of Land Management land in a remote area called Secret Ravine northeast of Colfax.

Because of possible booby traps, the Placer County Special Enforcement Team was utilized to secure the scene. As detectives and the SET team arrived, a Hispanic man fled on foot and was not apprehended. A handgun was recovered at the grow site.

After the plants were cut down, they were loaded into cargo nets and flown out by the sheriff’s office helicopter.

Illegal marijuana grows have become prevalent in Placer County, the sheriff’s office said. Anyone who hikes in the area’s remote canyons is reminded to stay aware of the surroundings and report any suspicious activity immediately to law enforcement.