Location: 12600 Block of Avenue 424

Incident Date: 10-23-14

Incident Time: 0730

Case Number: 14-60816

Victim: State of California

Posted by: Media Relations

S1: Camilo Galacgac, 67 of Orosi
 
S2: Albert Martinez, 42 of Orosi

S3: Nellie Cortez, 30 of Orosi

S4: Ariel Augustine, 52 of Orosi

S5: Jose Martinez, 56 of Orosi

S6: Benito Watson, 55 of Orosi

S7: Raphael Riviera, 47 of Reedly

All suspects charged with 11358HS, 11359HS, 11366HS and 182PC.
On 10/23/2014 at 0730 hours, Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff Department’s STEP Team and Deputies from the Orosi Substation served a search warrant at a residence in the 12600 block of Avenue 424 in Orosi. Detectives discovered a large and sophisticated marijuana cultivation and production facility which was being illicitly grown under the guise of a Los Angeles medical marijuana collective. Detectives located seven suspects who were involved in the operation.

Detectives seized 328 fully mature plants, 390 lbs of fully processed marijuana and a large amount of US currency. The total value of the marijuana seized is estimated to have a street value of approximately 3.8 million dollars. 

All suspects were arrested and booked pursuant to charges including the cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales, operation of a drug house and conspiracy

This case remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Department STEP Team. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Deputy J. Sanchez at (559) 733-6218 or information can remain anonymous through tcso@tipnow.com.