GRASS VALLEY, CA – The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) recently conducted joint agency operations to address and eradicate illegal cannabis operations in Nevada County. This longstanding partnership is in place to increase overall efficiency, reduce overhead costs, and increase the number of suspected illegal cannabis farms that can be targeted and eradicated. The partnership prioritizes illegal cultivation sites that are suspected of polluting California waterways/watersheds, along with illegal dumping and water runoff.
This past April and May, the team executed four search warrants in the county, including three in Grass Valley and one in Nevada City. All four locations were found to have illegal cannabis operations. In total, NCSO SIU and CDFW eradicated 14,619 plants, 94 lbs. of processed cannabis including concentrated cannabis, and 1.3 lbs. of psychedelic mushrooms. The team also seized two firearms.
Two individuals were arrested and booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility. Charges varied by each offender but included H&S 11358(c) – illegal cannabis cultivation; H&S 11358d(3)(B) – illegal cannabis cultivation while also violating 13260, 13264, 13272, or 13387 of the Water Code; H&S 11358d(3)(C) – illegal cannabis cultivation while also violating Fish and Game Code 5650 or 5652; H&S 11358(d)(3)(D) – illegal cannabis cultivation while also violating section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code; H&S 11359(b) – possession of cannabis for sale; H&S 11391(a) – transporting spores/mushroom used to produce or sell a controlled substance; H&S 11350(A) – possession of a controlled substance; H&S 11351 – possession/purchase for sale narcotics; H&S11370.1(A) – possession of a controlled substance with a loaded firearm; 182(A)(1) – conspiracy to commit crime; RTC 55363– evading the payment of cannabis excise tax imposed under RTC sections beginning with RTC 34010; and H&S 11366.5(A) – renting/using space for manufacturing, storing, or distributing any controlled substance.
Partners who assisted NCSO SIU and CDFW with the execution of these search warrants and/or the investigations included the Nevada County Cannabis Compliance (a division of Nevada County Code Compliance), State Water Resources Control Board, and Nevada County Environmental Health.
Additional search warrants will be executed throughout the season. Community members who suspect illegal grow activity are encouraged to call NCSO, CDFW, or Nevada County Cannabis Compliance. Tips may also be provided anonymously at https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/192/Sheriffs-Crime-Tip-Form or by calling (530) 470-2400.