San Andreas, CA…On October 20th, 2021, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served a search warrant for illegal marijuana cultivation in the 8000 block of Sheep Ranch Road in Mountain Ranch. Deputies seized 107 growing marijuana plants and 250 pounds of processed marijuana with an estimated value exceeding $249,000. One suspect was contacted at the scene. Darren Dean Borgedalen, age 58 of Mountain Ranch, was issued a citation on charges of 11358 (c) H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation and 11359 (b) H&S Possession of Marijuana For Sale. Evidence was collected and the investigation is ongoing.

Additionally, on October 20th, 2021, an unrelated search warrant was served in the 10000 block of Limestone Drive in Wallace. The site consisted of a large indoor horse arena, stables, and other structures which had been converted to facilitate indoor marijuana cultivation. Deputies seized 2,050 growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $2,655,000. At the time of the search warrant, two rooms were being utilized to grow marijuana. Each room consisted of two levels of plants. Investigators noted that building materials and partially framed walls were present and that half of the arena floor had been cemented over for ongoing construction of additional growing rooms. Calaveras Code Enforcement Officers responded to the scene and Red Tagged it for violations. One suspect was contacted at the scene. Eric Liang Chen, age 57 of San Leandro, CA, was issued a citation on charges of 11358 (c) H&S Illegal Marijuana Cultivation and 11359 (B) H&S Possession of Marijuana For Sale. 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.