Attorney General Brown Announces Shut-Down of Major Illegal Marijuana Operation

Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIF–Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that local, state and federal law enforcement agencies served 10 search warrants and 5 arrest warrants in El Dorado and Nevada Counties to shut down a “major illegal marijuana-growing operation” operating in northern California.

“Today, we shut down a major illegal marijuana-growing operation,” said Attorney General Brown. “This illegal operation consisted of thousands of marijuana plants worth millions of dollars and protected by handguns, shotguns and rifles. These illegal growing operations are a threat to public safety.”

In the course of today’s crackdown, agents seized approximately 2,100 marijuana plants and 100 pounds of processed marijuana, plus indoor marijuana-growing equipment, such as lights and generators. Agents also found approximately $625,000 in U.S. currency and seized 2 handguns, 3 rifles and 5 shotguns. Several of the weapons seized were loaded.

The 2-month investigation began in September 2008, after agents observed an outdoor marijuana cultivation operation in Pollock Pines. Agents found that in the past 4 years, the suspects had spent millions of dollars on properties in El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Mendocino, Sacramento, Alameda, and San Francisco Counties. During the investigation into these properties, agents discovered large indoor marijuana cultivations in El Dorado County.

Law enforcement agents detained several individuals. Any individuals arrested today will face federal charges of conspiracy to manufacture/cultivate marijuana.

Today’s arrests were part of a multi-agency operation involving more than 200 law enforcement personnel from the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, California Highway Patrol, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, Elk Grove Police Department, Mountain and Valley Investigation Team, Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, Placer SIU, Sacramento City Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, SLEDNET, U.S. Forest Service, West Sacramento Police Department, Woodland Police Department, and Yolo County Sheriff’s Office.

# # #