Mountain Ranch, CA…On Wednesday, July 26th, 2023, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served a search warrant for an illegal marijuana cultivation site within Calaveras County. The site was located in the 16000 block of Joy Road in Mountain Ranch. A total of five hoop house structures were located at the scene, all containing actively growing marijuana plants. Deputies seized 1,718 actively growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $1,202,600. Evidence was collected at the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.

At unrelated searches on Thursday, July 27th, 2023, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, Marijuana Enforcement Unit, served two warrants for illegal marijuana cultivation in Calaveras County. The first site was located in the 5100 block of Mountain Ranch Road in San Andreas. Deputies seized 105 actively growing marijuana plants with an estimated value exceeding $73,500. The second site was located in the 13000 block of Whiskey Slide Road, Mokelumne Hill. The deputies seized 110 actively growing marijuana plants from within a single hoop house structure. The marijuana had an estimated value exceeding $77,000. Evidence was collected at both sites, and the investigations are ongoing.

A California Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologist assisted with all three sites. These biologists ultimately conduct an independent investigation into potential hazards as they pertain to illegal marijuana growing locations and the environment.

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.