Location: California Hot Springs Area

Incident Date: July 08, 2017

Incident Time: 0400 hours

Case Number: 17-80059

Victim: Confidential

City: California Hot Springs

Posted by: Dispatch

Suspect’s: Unknown suspect’s

In July 2017, members of the U.S. Forest Service conducted overflights in the California Hot Springs mountain area for illegal clandestine marijuana grow sites.

During the overflight, Forest Service Officers located a large clandestine marijuana grow site in the Cold Spring Creek area of California Hot Springs.

On 8-8-17, Detectives with the TAGNET Unit conducted  an operation to eradicate the illegal marijuana grow site with the assistance of the U.S. Forest Service and CAMP Task Force.

During operation eradicating the illegal grow site, Detectives found numerous chemicals, a large amount of trash and the disruption of the natural waterways in the area. Detectives also located a large camp site, however; they were unable to locate any information on the identity of the suspects responsible for the illegal marijuana grow.

During the operation, 25,813 marijuana plants were eradicated and destroyed.

The investigation into illegal marijuana grow sites is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or they can remain anonymous by calling TIPNOW at (559) 725-4194.