Processed Marijuana and Meth Seized on NFS Lands

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS OF DRUG
RELATED INCIDENTS
REGION 5
Sequoia National Forest- On 8/30, an LEO <strong>and</strong> Kern County Sheriff’s Department SWAT <strong>and</strong> narcotics personnel raided a complex of
three drug trafficking organization (DTO) marijuana gardens in the Kiavah Wilderness Area on the Cannell Meadow Ranger District. At
one point during the raid, the LEO <strong>and</strong> a SWAT Deputy encountered a grower carrying a scoped mini-14 assault rifle with a 30-round
magazine attached. The officers were caught in the open with no hard cover. A helicopter flew overhead, causing the suspect to throw
down his rifle <strong>and</strong> flee. The suspect was not located. A total of 7,726 plants were eradicated from the gardens.
Sierra National Forest - On 7/25, LEI, Madera County Sheriff’s Department, SWAT, <strong>and</strong> CAMP personnel raided three large marijuana
cultivation sites. Over 11,000 high grade marijuana plants were eradicated, <strong>and</strong> several suspects were seen fleeing the area, but were not
apprehended. All three sites were live-in gardens suspected as being controlled by a large drug trafficking organization. The plants
eradicated were fully grown <strong>and</strong> some harvesting had already begun.
On 8/17, LEI, Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department, NPS <strong>and</strong> CAMP personnel raided a large marijuana garden. An SKS rifle with a
fully loaded 30-round magazine <strong>and</strong> a .22 bolt action long rifle were located in the suspect’s camp along with camouflage clothing.
Approximately 5,086 marijuana plants were eradicated. No suspects were located. The garden is believed to be associated with a foreign
national drug trafficking organization.
On 8/22, LEO’s assisted California Department of Justice <strong>and</strong> Fresno Sheriff’s Department with marijuana eradication in the Black Rock
Area. The five gardens were identified as foreign national gardens <strong>and</strong> approximately 300 marijuana plants were eradicated.
On 9/15, LEI, Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, <strong>and</strong> CAMP officers raided two large marijuana gardens on the High Sierra Ranger
District. Officers eradicated 1,859 plants in the first site <strong>and</strong> located a large live-in campsite. The second site was approximately one half
mile to the west <strong>and</strong> 344 plants were eradicated. The two sites are believed to be linked to six other sites that are currently under
investigation by the HIDTA Task Force in Fresno.
Stanislaus National Forest - On 8/8, a multi-agency raid was conducted on a marijuana garden in the Bull Meadow Creek area. The
terrain was steep <strong>and</strong> short haul had to be utilized to extract <strong>and</strong> move teams in the grow site. A total of 5,400 plants were removed.
Nursery tags were found indicating the type of marijuana plants used. The suspects fled on foot.
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USDA Forest Service
Law Enforcement <strong>and</strong> Investigations