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Kids Go Cherry Picking, Find Marijuana Plants

PAW PAW, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Some children out picking cherries with their father in southwestern Michigan found something unexpected: 50 marijuana plants in a farmer's field along the way.

Lt. Robert Kirk of the Van Buren County sheriff's department told MLive.com that the family called shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday to report the discovery, in the 46000 block of County Road 380.

Kirk said it appears that someone pulled out a row of corn and planted the pot, knowing that the farmer's field would be fertilized and watered.  In cases like this, Kirk says whoever planted the marijuana would usually come back before the corn was harvested — and the farmer rarely returns until harvest time.

Kirk said it's common for marijuana growers to try to hide plants farmers' fields this way — especially this time of year.

Michigan State Police Det. Lt. Mike Harvitt agrees, saying that growers choose remote areas that they believe are not likely to see  a lot of foot traffic.

Sheriff's deputies pulled up the marijuana plants and they will be destroyed.

Kirk urges anyone with information about this incident to call the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office at 269-657-3101. You can also text your tip anonymously to "CRIMES" (274637) with the keyword VBCTIP from a mobile phone.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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