Location: Yettem Area, Avenue 384/Road 140, Tulare County

Incident Date: 6-15-15

Incident Time: 0730

Case Number: 15-60696

Victim: State of California

Posted by: Media Relations

Suspect #1 Marcos Orta (55Yrs)

Charges: 11358 H&S,

Suspect #2 Jorge Sanchez (24 Yrs)

Charges: 11358 H&S,

Suspect #3 Hispanic Male LR (75 Yrs)  

Charges:  11358 H&S

Suspect #4 Gabriel Guerrero (33Yrs)

Charges: 11358 H&S, 11359 H&S, PC 148 (A)

06/15/15 at 0730 hours:

Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel (STEP Unit) and Narcotics Task Force served five search warrants in the Yettem area in Tulare County. The search warrants were a result of a month long investigation. The above listed suspects were contacted during the service of the warrants and were found to be illegally cultivating marijuana under the guise of California’s Medical Marijuana Laws. In total, 729 live marijuana plants were eradicated and 1 pound of processed marijuana and two firearms were seized

If these marijuana plants would have been allowed to mature and yielded at minimum one pound of processed marijuana, the processed marijuana would have commanded a street value of $729,000.

A live marijuana plant could use up to 5 gallons of water daily. An estimated 3,645 gallons of water were used in total daily.  If the marijuana plants were allowed to maturity/harvest an estimated 328,050 gallon would have been used.

The suspects were taken into custody on their respective charges without incident.

These cases are currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel (STEP Unit).  Anonymous information regarding these cases can be provided at 1-800-808-0488 or TCSO@tipnow.com, by text or voicemail at 559-725-4194.

Case Status:  Active