Location: 51000 block of Hogback Drive, Badger

Incident Date: 6-20-2016

Incident Time: 0830 hours

Case Number: 16-60653

Victim: State of California

City: Badger

Posted by: Media Relations

On 6/20/16, Detectives from the Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel (STEP) along with the assistance of Patrol, Jail personnel and RMA served 3 search warrants in the Badger area.

Detectives from the STEP team received several complaints called in by anonymous citizens, advising several large Marijuana grow operations in the area. An investigation began and the complaints were confirmed, search warrants were written for the properties. 

During the execution of the search warrants, two subjects were contacted and arrested for cultivation/sales of marijuana (separate locations). In total, 1,295 Marijuana plants were located and eradicated in 3 locations, along with 1 pound of processed marijuana. With the size of the plants, it is estimated they would have yielded 1,295 pounds of processed marijuana (1 pound per plant), with an illegal street value of $1,295,000.

Suspect 1-  Rodney Mims – 62 YOA (Badger)

Suspect 2- Lawrence Nichols -19 YOA (Badger)

This case is under investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.