Illegal Marijuana Cultivation Discovered On Public Land

Illegal pot grow on public lands in Valley Spring -- CCSO photo

Valley Springs, CA – An illegal grow discovered on public lands turned up nearly $500,000 worth of pot plants, according to investigators.

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), eradicated an illegal marijuana cultivation site at a large-scale outdoor grow near New Hogan Lake. Uncovered were multiple fields of marijuana plants hidden in remote terrain.

“Law enforcement eradicated 1,501 marijuana plants from a hillside, where suspects had cleared native foliage to cultivate the plants among the remaining natural surroundings,” disclosed the sheriff’s Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET), adding, “Based on an estimated yield of over 1,500 pounds, the illegal grow would have produced nearly $472,815 worth of marijuana.”

The team also discovered environmental damage that BLM personnel are actively investigating. During the search operation, no suspects were located on the land. Sheriff’s officials continue to urge the public to report any illegal grows by contacting their anonymous tip line at (209) 754-6870.