PRINCETON, W. Va. — As police worked to seize more than $1 million in marijuana plants from southern West Virginia this week, they first had to get past the headstrong guardian of one plot — a goat.

The animal stood watch over one of several growing patches in Mercer and McDowell counties where police collected marijuana plants over a three-day period.

The operation was a combined effort of the West Virginia State Police, the state Department of Natural Resources and the West Virginia National Guard.

“The goat was a little stubborn, however with a little persuasion, he conceded,” West Virginia State Police Sgt. R.A. Daniel said. “No troopers or the goat were harmed.”

Police said they believed the goat was likely at the plot to keep brush down and other animals away.

“He was a little protective of his patch, and attempted to head-butt one of the officers,” Daniel said. “But there were no injuries and the patch was cut, so he lost.”

State Police Sgt. A.P. Christian said described the million-dollar haul in the annual eradication effort as “an average year.”

Similar eradication efforts continue annually nationwide as state lawmakers, federal officials and lobbyists fight the ongoing battle over the legality of marijuana in the United States.

Christian said large marijuana plots are not as prolific as in decades past because of the work and effort required in growing the plants.

“You have to water them, trim them, fertilize them and separate the males (plants) from the female ones,” he said. “Growing marijuana outside of a controlled environment is a lot of work.”

However, he noted, “We enjoy taking their hard-earned work away from them.”

Christian said the value of the plants is based on the street value of what a mature plant can produce.

Marijuana eradication involves hard work for troopers, who have to trek into the mountains, cut the plants down and then carry them out, he said.

Christian said many plots are found on public property and old mining lands, making arrests difficult.

Perry is the editor of the Bluefield, West Virginia Daily Telegraph.