(Mokelumne Hill, CA) On 08-10-2012 members of the Calaveras County
Narcotics Enforcement Team in cooperation with the Bureau of Land
Management and the newly formed CERT (Cannabis Eradication and
Reclamation Team) eradicated approximately 5,100 mature marijuana
plants.
The plants were removed from public land located in steep terrain
above the Mokelumne river drainage near Mokelumne Hill. Evidence found
on site indicated that persons were likely living in the area of the
grow sites, and additional evidence indicated that the subjects had been
armed. Upon entry to the site one or more subjects fled from the scene
and into thick brush; no suspects were able to be located or arrested.
Following the removal of the marijuana from the grow-site, garbage,
chemicals and irrigation infrastructure was removed. The cleaning
process was done pursuant to the mission of the CERT team, who works
with local agencies to remove cannabis as well as the associated
garbage. During prior eradication seasons no resources were available
to remove garbage from sites, while the use of the CERT team provides
personnel and resources to accomplish the task.
In total, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s office has removed over
45,000 marijuana plants from Calaveras County lands during the 2012
growing season. All of the sites eradicated were clandestine outdoor
operations, and nearly half of the eradicated plants have been found
growing on public lands.
