Location: 46000 block of South Fork Drive, Three Rivers

Incident Date: 6/29/19

Incident Time: 0500-1200 hours

Case Number: 19-07727

Victim: State of California

City: Three Rivers

Posted by: Media Relations

Three arrested during South Fork marijuana eradication detail

Tulare County Sheriff’s detectives arrested three men and eradicated more than 170 marijuana plants June 29, 2019 during an illegal clandestine marijuana grow site detail on South Fork Drive in Three Rivers. 


Suspects arrested: Juan Pena, 20; Juan Gomez, 21; and Christian Castaneda, 19


They were arrested for conspiracy, trespassing, illegal marijuana cultivation, and illegal waterway diversion, littering near streams/rivers, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sales, and providing false information to a peace officer. 


During Saturday’s eradication detail, detectives also found a large amount of trash and the natural waterways were diverted illegally for the marijuana grow site. 


A total of 172 marijuana plants were located, eradicated and destroyed Saturday by detectives from the Tulare Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (TAGNET) Majors, Marijuana Investigation Team, Narcotics Unit, and agents from the National Park Marijuana Interdiction Group.


This case is currently under investigation by the Marijuana Investigation Team. Anyone with more information regarding illegal marijuana cultivation is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously through the Sheriff’s TipNow Program at tcso@tipnow.com or by text or voicemail at 559-725-4194.