FRIENDSVILLE, Md. (AP) — Two Kentucky men have been charged with trying to steal more than $5,000 worth of ginseng root from a garden in western Maryland.

Maryland state police say the attempted theft occurred early Saturday morning in Friendsville. Police say troopers arrived at the scene to find two men in the act of digging up a large amount of ginseng.

Police say the men had extracted more than 10 pounds of ginseng root, which is used in a variety of nutritional supplements.

Police identified the men as 46-year-old Terry Blankenship of Dewitt, Kentucky, and 32-year-old Daniel Warren of Cannon, Kentucky. They’ve been charged with felony theft and trespassing.

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