MONTEREY COUNTY – On July 9, 2019, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) wardens assisted the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office in serving a search warrant at a suspected illegal marijuana grow site in the southern part of Monterey County.

The team of officers eradicated 1,350 marijuana plants that were being illegally cultivated and seized a rifle. No suspects were arrested however, it is believed that one suspect fled into the hills as law enforcement officers arrived on scene.

“It sickening to see the photos of these illegal grows and what suspects are doing to the beauty of our state and the health of our environment,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Law enforcement officers who are targeting illegal grows are working to, one, protect those who have taken the steps to obtain a license to grow and two, they are working to protect our environment.   It is very risky to step foot in suspected illegal grow sites, as there are often firearms on the premises.”