Location: Blue Ridge area of Tulare County

Incident Date: 7/6/17-7/7/17

Incident Time: 0500-1400 hours

Case Number: 17-80041, 17-80042, 17-80043, 17-80044

Victim: Confidential

City: Blue Ridge area

Posted by: Media Relations

Suspects: Unknown

In June 2017, Tulare County Sheriff’s Tulare Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team (TAGNET) Detectives conducted overflights in the Blue Ridge mountain area for illegal clandestine marijuana grow sites.

During the overflight, Detective’s located three large separate clandestine marijuana grow sites in the Blue Ridge mountain area and one large clandestine grow site off of Blue Ridge Road in the Rancheria Creek area.

On 7-6-17, Detectives with the TAGNET Unit, along with the assistance of the CAMP Task Force, conducted a 2-day operation to eradicate the illegal marijuana grow sites.

During the 2-day operation eradicating the illegal grow sites, Detectives found numerous chemicals, a large amount of trash and the disruption of the natural waterways in the area. Detectives also located numerous camp sites, however, they were unable to locate any information on the identity of the suspects responsible for the illegal marijuana grow.

During the 2-day operation, more than 40,870 marijuana plants were eradicated and destroyed. The estimated value of the illegal marijuana is $122,610,000.

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.