WILLAMINA, Ore. -- Police said a three-month investigation led to two marijuana busts and thousands of pot plants.

Drug detectives from three local counties along with Oregon State Police were investigating a major marijuana grow in Yamhill County.

The crops were found 10 miles north of Willamina deep in the woods on the border of Yamhill and Tillamook counties in an area called Niagra Creek.

Police were being fairly tight-lipped about the bust because they said it is part of a much bigger case.

But this is the result of a three-month investigation, and this case really illustrates the lengths people are willing to go to grow and sell drugs, officers said.

To get to the marijuana grow operation, police had to drive six miles on a one-lane forest service road and then walk another six miles into the woods.

Detectives with Yamhill, Tillamook and Washington counties were at the scene Thursday afternoon looking for at least one man connected with the operation.

Officials said a man ran from the grow area Thursday morning and dropped a weapon in the process.

Police found the weapon, but the man is still on the run. Forest service officers said they think he is hiding out in the woods.

People close to the case said they found a similar marijuana grow in the same area a few weeks ago.

Police wouldn't say whether the two operations are connected, but they said that Thursday’s bust is part of a much bigger investigation.

Police said they served search warrants related to the case Wednesday and arrested eight people in connection with the operation near Willamina and another near the coastal town of Beaver.

In both locations, officers are cutting down thousands of marijuana plants.

Huge Pot Bust Made In Woods Near Willamina