Mexican drug smugglers are growing a hybrid version of marijuana that is resistant to aerial fumigation and even can survive being cut down by antidrug agents, the Associated Press reported Dec. 19.

Mexican police conducting a series of raids on marijuana plantations reported finding crops of hybrid cannabis that can only be killed by pulling the plants up by their roots. "Before we could cut the plant and destroy it, but this plant will come back to life unless it's taken out by the roots," said Mexican Army General Manuel Garcia. The hybrid also can survive being sprayed with chemicals that only burn its top leaves.

Officials say the hybrid has been popping up for about two years and has now become widespread in the marijuana farms of Michoacan state in Mexico. The Mexican government recently sent 7,000 soldiers into the region to eradicate 38 marijuana plantations.