Northern California man arrested after uncovering massive illegal marijuana operation

(FOX40.COM) — A Northern California man was arrested after deputies and California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers found more than 1,000 illegally grown marijuana plants with an estimated value of between $250,000 and $400,000 in three greenhouses in Calaveras County.

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office said the man, a 32-year-old from Modesto, was charged with several counts related to the operation. Officials said they also found numerous pollution, littering and water diversion violations near the greenhouses.

On July 11, at approximately 8:30 a.m., officers worked with the CDFW to execute a search warrant on Lakeview Road in Valley Springs.

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office turned the search warrant over to its marijuana enforcement team, who then began searching the three homes to remove the illegal marijuana, discovering approximately 1,008 plants actively growing.

“The estimated street value of the eradicated plants is between $252,000 and $403,200,” the sheriff’s office said. CDFW biologists are on site to address the other environmental violations, the sheriff’s office added.

Other agencies assisting the Sheriff’s Office in disrupting the illegal marijuana trade included Homeland Security Investigations and Calaveras County Code Compliance.

“The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office is committed to combating illegal marijuana cultivation and related crimes. To report illegal marijuana activity, please call the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 209-754-6870,” the agency said.