On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Narcotics Enforcement Team, Air Support Unit and members of the California Army National Guard conducted a marijuana eradication operation in the foothills.
A total of 15,649 marijuana plants were discovered in illegal gardens growing on 11 different pieces of land. The properties were located in the communities of Squaw Valley, Dunlap, Tollhouse, Burrough Valley and Sycamore Creek.
Detectives arrested three people and booked them into the Fresno County Jail for felony cultivation. They are Ramon Ramirez, 34, Luis Muniz, 58 and Kong Yang, 30. Two other people were issued civil citations for violating the county ordinance.
Detectives served a search warrant at one home. During the operation, they seized 11 guns, two of which were stolen.
Detectives found water from natural sources being diverted to irrigate the marijuana gardens. It’s important to note the amount of water marijuana plants consume, especially as we all work to conserve during California’s drought conditions. One marijuana plant can take six to eight gallons of water per day in order to produce. Plants can grow to full maturity in as little as 90 days, allowing suspects to have three to four harvests each year.
So far in 2015, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Narcotics Enforcement Team has eradicated approximately 44,000 marijuana plants. Using the low end of six gallons from the formula mentioned, this translates to 23,760,000 gallons of water. (44,000 x 6 x 90)
Fresno County enforces a strict ban on all cannabis cultivation, both indoors and outdoors. Violation of the ordinance could result in several consequences:
1.Growers can be arrested on a felony charge.
2.Growers can face heavy fines starting at $1,000 per plant.
3.Property owners, including family members, can be fined too.
4.Very short timelines to appeal citations and fines.
5.Prop. 215/SB 420 compliance will not stop enforcement.
6.Additional fines, interest, legal fees and costs of abatement can be charged.
7.County can place lien on property for unpaid fines.
The Sheriff’s Office takes all tips seriously and encourages the public to report suspected marijuana grow sites. If you are aware of any type of illegal drug activity, report it anonymously by calling the Narcotics Hotline at 1-800-660-1086 or Email:
