Over the past week, Members of the Calaveras Narcotic Enforcement Unit and Members of the
California Department of Justice - CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting) team
consisting of agent from the California Department of Justice, Army National Guard and the US
Forest Service conducted operations in Calaveras County to eradicate illegal marijuana gardens.
Six gardens were located and eradicated, containing a total of 28,141 marijuana plants. The
gardens were established in secluded portions of the county located on both private lands and
lands managed by the US Bureau of Land Management.
Inside the gardens, members located established campsites consisting of living quarters, kitchen
areas and areas established for the cultivation and processing of the marijuana. A large amount
of food and necessities indicated that persons were intending to remain in the grow sites for
several months.
Members also located firearms and ammunition including a large amount of ammunition for
firearms that were not located, having presumably been carried out by the growers as they fled
from the teams. Camouflage material was also present in the camps, and was to be used to
conceal the location of the grow sites and those tending the sites. A large amount of fertilizers,
pesticides and other chemicals used to assist in the cultivation of the marijuana was present. The
landscape used was cut away and destroyed by the operation. This has historically caused
erosion and been a concern because of the environmental impact it will have on the area.
Based on the evidence located at scene, it appears the gardens were being cultivated by a
Hispanic drug trafficking organization. No subjects were located or arrested during the
operation.
Photos by Charity Maness
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