“It’s important that law enforcement officers conduct these operations to investigate illegal cannabis operations for numerous reasons, including public safety, consumer protection, environmental concerns and leveling the playing field for licensed and permitted operations.”

– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

NEVADA CITY – On October 30, 2025, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) announced that between September and October, its Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) together investigated eight suspected illegal cannabis operations in Nevada County, including four properties in Nevada City, two in North San Juan, one in Grass Valley, and one in Smartsville. All locations were found to have illegal cannabis operations.

In total, NCSO and CDFW eradicated 5,059 plants and 1,514.2 pounds of processed cannabis, and seized one unregistered firearm. One individual was arrested by CDFW on September 26th on the following charges: H&S 11358(c) – illegal cannabis cultivation; H&S 11358(d)(3)(B) – illegal cannabis cultivation while also violating 13260, 13264, 13272, and/or 13387 of the Water Code; H&S 11359(b) – possession of cannabis for sale; HS 11358(d)(3)(C) – illegal cannabis cultivation while also violating section 5650, 5652 and/or 1602 of the Fish and Game Code; 182(A)(1) – conspiracy to commit crime; and 11366.5(A) – renting/using space for manufacturing, storing, or distributing any controlled substance.

At another property in Grass Valley on October 1st, a homeowner was cited and released by NCSO SIU for H&S 11358(D) – illegal cannabis cultivation.

Through the course of the eight investigations, NCSO SIU detectives filed charges with the District Attorney’s Office against five additional individuals affiliated with four of the properties visited for suspected misdemeanor and felony offenses. These charges varied by individual but included H&S 11358(D) – illegal cannabis cultivation; H&S 11358d(3)(C) – illegal cannabis cultivation while also violating Fish and Game Code 5650 or 5652; H&S 11358d(3)(B) – illegal cannabis cultivation while also violating 13260, 13264, 13272, or 13387 of the Water Code; and H&S 11358d(3)(D) – illegal cannabis cultivation while also violating 13260, 13264, 13272, or 13387 of the Water Code.

The eight search warrants were executed as part of an ongoing joint agency operation between NCSO and CDFW with an emphasis on properties suspected of illegal cannabis operations while polluting California waterways/watersheds along with illegal dumping and water runoff.

Partners who assisted NCSO SIU and CDFW with the execution of September and October search warrants and/or the investigations included the Eradication and Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) Task Force, the National Guard, Nevada County Cannabis Compliance (a division of Nevada County Code Compliance), Placer County Sheriff’s Office, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office.