MERCED – On June 13, 2020, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s conducted an investigation into the illegal cultivation, manufacturing, and processing of marijuana in the 5700 Block of West Highway 140, by serving a search warrant on two large barns and a large cornfield located on the property. While searching the property, deputies detained 15 people who were found to be cultivating and processing large amounts of marijuana inside the two barns and in the cornfield.

As the investigation progressed throughout the day, law enforcement officers eradicated more than 15,000 pounds of finished product, 34,685 plants that were found growing in the cornfield, and 4,500 of dried product had been collected from the barns.

According to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, this operation had the potential of making $15,000,000.00 in profit.

Merced County Sheriff’s deputies are currently working with County of Merced Code Enforcement and CDFA Cal Cannabis Investigations Team (CDFA) to prosecute the owner of the property.

“This was a significant bust and helps to be sure that those growing cannabis in this state legally have a fair shot in the marketplace,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.   “State investigators are a great resource for local law enforcement departments.”