A West Hills man suspected of helping grow an estimated $24 million worth of pot in O'Melveny Park was facing a possible felony today.

Natale Gabriele, 49, was arrested on suspicion of tending thousands of plants in the San Fernando Valley park at the mouth of the Newhall Pass. Bee Canyon Creek runs through the park.

Gabriele was arrested Thursday and booked on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale, Los Angeles police said, adding that more arrests are expected. Gabriele posted $100,000 bail and was released Friday, police said.

A 10-month investigation led to his arrest, police said. Detectives asked the California National Guard to help them find and photograph suspected pot farms.

In April, detectives were told that a growing operation may have been spotted. In July, detectives hiked into the area and found more than 100 plants growing, some of them more than 10 feet tall, police said.

The plants, which were "well-hidden from view," were found about 1.5 miles north of the O'Melveny Park parking lot, and about 300 yards off of the main hiking trail.

Nearly 3,000 other pot plants were found in the general area in various stages of growth, and detectives believe they had been growing there for at least two years.

"Those growing the marijuana had created a sophisticated watering system by building a dam to block a stream that ran through the hillside and using irrigation tubing, a battery powered pump and a timer to water the plants," police said.

Anyone with more information about the growing operation was urged to call LAPD detectives Eric Bixler, James Williams, or Robert Holcomb at 818-832-1164. Tipsters can also call 877-LAPD-24-7.