A joint operation between U.S. and Mexican authorities has led to the destruction of a massive marijuana growing operation just below the border.

Officers with the Mexican Federal Police in Mexicali and Tijuana  , assisted by training and equipment from the U.S. Border Patrol , located and destroyed the grow-site in an area in Mexico south of the eastern edge of San Diego County. The approximate size of the grow site encompassed 13 square miles , containing over 42,000 plants weighing nearly 70,000 pounds and valued at nearly $276 million. All the plants were destroyed onsite.

In April and May of this year , U.S. Border Patrol agents from the El Centro and San Diego Sectors , as well as their respective Foreign Operations Branches had led a Bi-National Border Operations Academy that provided training to Government of Mexico Policia Federal officials. The academy also provided Mexican officials with new equipment.