Location: Avenue 76 and Road 256, Terra Bella

Incident Date: 5/23/16

Incident Time: 0830 hours

Case Number: 16-60635

Victim: State of California

City: Terra Bella

Posted by: Media Relations

On 5/23/16, Detectives from the Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel unit (STEP), along with the assistance of the Narcotics Unit and Gang Violence Suppression Unit, served 2 Marijuana Search warrants in the Terra Bella area. 

Detectives from the STEP team received a complaint called in by an anonymous citizen, advising of a large Marijuana grow. Detectives authored a search warrant for the 20-acre parcels. The large area was bare land, and approximately 4-5 acres was being used to grow Marijuana, some attempts to hide were made by planting corn around it. At this location, 3,436 large marijuana plants were located. With the assistance of RMA, 13 dump trucks were loaded and taken to disposal (approximately 66,000 lbs). 

During the execution of the search warrant, Detectives conducted a traffic stop on Ricardo Magdalleno, 56. Magdalleno was found to have ties to the property, along with keys to the marijuana grow. Magdalleno was interviewed, and arrested for cultivation of the marijuana. Magdalleno was found to have over $2,700 in cash, and no means of employment. 

While on scene, evidence was located to a local residence (approximately 2 miles away). Detectives responded to the address, authored a second search warrant. During the search of the residence, approximately 300 pounds of partially processed marijuana was located in moving boxes. Under the storage compartment in this single-wide mobile home, 76 pounds of full processed (1 pound bags), scales, packaging material, along with 1,155 marijuana plants were located. No subjects were found at the second location. 

Suspect- Ricardo Magdalleno (56 YOA) out of the Porterville area. 

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.