Location: Road 252 North of Strathmore

Incident Date: 3-16-14

Incident Time: 1400

Case Number: 14-3334

Victim: State of California

Posted by: Media Relations

Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff's Dept. Porterville Patrol Unit were conducting a investigation into possible child endangerment.  The deputies contacted subjects at a residence on R252, north of Strathmore, and while there located a large amount of marijuana being cultivated in the rear of the residence.  The suspect, Gabriel Ville, was contacted and advised he had a medical recommendation to grow 99 plants due to illness.  The marijuana growing was extremely larger that 99 plants.  The marijuana was eradicated and found to contain 2106 live marijuana plants.  If allowed to grow to maturity, the plants in question would have produced in excess of 2106 pounds of processed marijuana.  This would have a street value in excess of $8,424,000.00 dollars.   The suspect was arrested and booked for cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale.  Anyone with information in regards to illegal marijuana cultivation is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Dept. (559)733-6218 or online at TIPNOW.com.  

 (S)Garbriel Ville     61 yrs

Case status: Active investigation ongoing