San Andreas, CA…From May 26th to June 2nd, 2021, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served four unrelated search warrants for illegal marijuana cultivation in Calaveras County. On May 26th, 2021, in the 16000 block of Joy Road in Mountain Ranch. Deputies seized 1,384 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $968,000. One suspect was contacted at the scene and issued a citation. Jorge Lara Aceves, age 37 of San Andreas, was issued a Citation on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, and 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime. Evidence was collected and the investigation is ongoing.

On May 27th, 2021, a search warrant was served in the 9000 Block of Whiskey Slide Road in Mountain Ranch. Deputies seized 1,428 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $999,000. Additionally, one firearm was seized. Two suspects were contacted at the scene and issued citations. Luis Alonso Mejia, age 35 of Fairfield, CA, and Francisco Chaves Madrigal, age 18 of Fairfield, CA, were issued citations on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, and 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime. This site had been subject to a previous search warrant eradication in 2020 at which time 1,462 growing marijuana plants were eradicated. Evidence was collected and the investigation is ongoing.

On June 2nd, 2021, a search warrant was served in the 1400 block of South Railroad Flat Road in Railroad Flat. Deputies seized 1,234 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $863,000. Two suspects were contacted at the scene. Gabriel Moreno Garcia, age of 35 of Watsonville, CA, was placed under arrest on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation, 11359 H&S Possession of Marijuana for Sale, and 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime. Mario Garcia, age 37 of Watsonville, CA, was issued a citation on charges of 11358 H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation and 182 PC Conspiracy to Commit Crime. This site had been subject to a previous search warrant eradication in 2018 at which time 201 growing marijuana plants were eradicated. Additionally, this site was the scene of a triple homicide in 2015 which was motivated by illegal marijuana cultivation. Evidence was collected and the investigation is ongoing.

Also on June 2nd, 2021, a search warrant was served in the 7600 block of Doster Road in Mokelumne Hill. Deputies seized 1,243 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $870,000. No suspects were contacted at the scene. This site had been subject to a previous search warrant eradication in 2020 at which time 818 growing marijuana plants were eradicated. Evidence was collected and the investigation is ongoing.

The Calaveras Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with knowledge of illegal marijuana operations to call the Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Marijuana Tip Line at (209) 754-6870.