Pot plants discovered growing near Courtney Campbell Causeway

An investigation is underway after a group of undercover Hillsborough County deputies discovered a marijuana grow operation right out in the open.

The sheriff’s office says the deputies found a total of 68 mature pot plants growing in the mangroves just north of the Courtney Campbell Causeway boat ramp Sunday night.

The crop weighed just under 80 pounds, and was estimated to be worth more than $114,000 on the street.

During the investigation, the sheriff's office says a man in the parking lot backed into one of their deputies' vehicles. The driver, 25-year-old Yasiel Martinez, was reportedly drunk with a BAC of .143/.144. 

DUI deputies arrested him as the under cover deputies continued investigating the newly-discovered marijuana crop. 

Officials have not said the incidents were related.

No one has been arrested in relation to the mysterious marijuana grow operation. The investigation continues.