Pubdate: Wed, 08 Aug 2012
Source: Foothills Sun Gazette (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Mineral King Publishing
Contact:  http://www.thesungazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5291

SHERIFF'S DEPT. STEPS UP POT RAIDS

Last week detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff's Department 
S.T.E.P. Unit completed several months of investigations by 
conducting marijuana raids on public and private lands throughout the 
foothill and valley areas of Tulare County.

Several of these operations were conducted with the assistance of 
Federal Officers from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land 
Management and the Drug Enforcement Administration's C.E.R.T. program 
(Cannabis Eradication & Reclamation Teams). The C.E.R.T. program has 
replaced the state run C.A.M.P. program.

On July 20, STEP detectives and the C.E.R.T. team conducted 
eradication operations in the area of the Eshom Towers on U.S. Forest 
service lands. Officers entered into the garden site and seized1, 443 
marijuana plants. The marijuana plants were mature and appeared to 
have been harvested several times. A large camp and trash pile was 
located. It appeared the suspect had fled the garden site just before 
officers were flown into the location. Detectives and Federal 
officers removed trash, water hose, pesticides and fertilizers from 
the location and restored as much as possible, natural streams and 
creeks which had been diverted by growers (a process known as 
reclamation.) Additional work will be done on these areas to restore 
it to a natural state after the marijuana season, to lessen the 
danger to workers on those projects.

The same day, S.T.E.P. detectives and the C.E.R.T. team also 
conducted eradication operations in the area of the Three Rivers 
Flume. This site had just been reported to the Sheriff's department 
by area residents who routinely hike in the area. Due to the danger 
of conflict between the armed growers and local residents it was 
determined to eradicate this site as soon as possible rather than 
set-up for a long term investigation. On Friday afternoon officers 
were flown into the large garden using a technique known as 
Short-Haul. Upon arrival detectives found a large spread-out grow 
site of over 20,000 marijuana plants which was within sight of 
several houses. Investigation found that the suspects had fled into 
the heavy brush as the helicopter came into the area. A handgun and 
several types of ammunition, including assault weapon calibers, were 
seized from several camp/processing areas which were located. The 
marijuana plants were in various stages from seedlings to mature, 
the! site was set up as a multi-stage grow and appeared to have been 
harvested several times. Suspects had been diverting water from the 
Flume into several large man-made reservoirs to disperse water to the 
grow site.

An extensive campsite and firearms were also found and processed for 
evidence. A total of 21,620 marijuana plants and 250 pounds of 
processed marijuana were seized and removed from the site. If allowed 
to grow to maturity these plants would have produced in excess of 
21,600 pounds of processed bud. If sold to dispensaries or on the 
streets the total value of the crop would be in excess of 
$64,860,000. However it needs to be noted that all parts of a mature 
marijuana plant can be utilized to produce a marijuana concentrate, 
known as Honey Oil, this process and the ability to use the entire 
plant greatly increases the value of the marijuana at the site. Also 
located were rat poison, various insecticides and fertilizers used to 
spray the plants.

It was determined the connected grow sites were spread between 
private and Bureau of Land Management (B.L.M.) lands. A reclamation 
project will be planned by B.L.M. for clean-up on the Federal lands 
after the marijuana season.

On Tuesday, July 24 detectives completed a several month long 
investigation by serving search warrants at two locations, the first 
at the 45000 block of South Fork Dr. in Three Rivers and the second 
at the 22000 block of Ave. 256 in Lindsay. Upon arrival at both 
locations detectives detained the above listed suspects and several 
additional subjects. Investigation showed that both locations were 
out of compliance with state laws and local ordinances.

At the Three Rivers residence, 242 marijuana plants were seized from 
a sophisticated indoor/outdoor grow along with two rifles and four 
handguns. Pedro Alvarez, 47, of Three Rivers, was arrested and 
charged with child endangerment as a nine year old boy was staying at 
the residence. The guns were placed in various locations around the 
house for easy access and a marijuana processing area was set-up in 
the kitchen. All the guns and marijuana were in easy access to the 
child. Edison officials were contacted to check the wiring into the 
large indoor grow area and substandard wiring was found and power was 
shut off to the residence until repairs are made by the property owner.

At the Lindsay residence, 144 marijuana plants, three rifles and one 
handgun were seized. Enrigue Ramos, 50, of Lindsay was arrested on 
charges of cultivation and possession with intent to sell. Several 
suspects are still being sought for questioning.

On July 31, STEP Detectives conducted an eradication operation in the 
Bear Creek area above SCICON on U.S. Forest Service land. Officers 
hiked through steep terrain into the garden site and seized 4,045 
marijuana plants. Upon arrival suspects fled into the surrounding 
area. These plants were located on numerous plots within a .5 mile 
radius. Water from Bear Creek had been diverted into numerous ponding 
basins with a complex watering system in place to irrigate the 
plants. Some marijuana plants were mature and evidence of harvesting 
was located. A processing center, trash piles and various chemicals 
were located. Detectives tore down the diverted water basins allowing 
it to return to the natural streams and creeks. Additional work will 
be done on this area to restore it to a natural state after the 
marijuana season, to lessen the danger to workers on those projects.

These cases are still under investigation by the TCSO STEP Unit.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom