BEAUMONT, Kan. — Authorities in southeastern Kansas say they confiscated about 3,000 marijuana plants from a large growing operation uncovered earlier this week.

A tip led officers to the site near the Greenwood County town of Beaumont. The marijuana was growing on several properties spread over several miles on both sides of U.S. 400. The Kansas Highway Patrol sent up a helicopter that helped spot pockets of plants from the air.

KSNW-TV reports authorities estimate the value of the plants torn up Tuesday at roughly $3 million.

Police found evidence that workers cultivating the marijuana were living on the site. No arrests have been made, and officials were trying to confirm who owns the land.