RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTSheriff Chad Bianco |
| Press Release: | Illegal Marijuana Cultivation
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| Station Area: | Anza |
| Written Date: | August 13, 2020 | Time: | 1:00 PM |
| Incident Date: | August 10-11, 2020 | Time: | 7:00 AM |
| Incident Location: | Cooper Cienega Truck Trail, South of Tule Peak Rd, Anza
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| Reporting Officer: | Master Investigator Roman Pluimer
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| File Number(s): | R202200004
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Details:
On Monday August 10, 2020 and Tuesday August 11, 2020, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) directed an operation targeting outdoor illegal marijuana cultivations in the unincorporated areas of Anza. The operation was supported by members from the Hemet Sheriff’s Station, the Riverside District Attorney’s Office Cannabis Regulation Task Force (CRTF), United States Forest Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, and Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP).
Over the course of two days, the operation worked to eradicate illegal cultivation sites on over 580 acres of public and private land. Over 41,000 marijuana plants were eradicated. In addition, 600 pounds of processed marijuana were recovered from a makeshift processing shed. The combination of processed marijuana and future harvest of the eradicated plants has an estimated street value of $38 million.
These illegal cultivations cause deforestation, destroy wildlife habitats, pose a threat to the citizens of Riverside County, and utilize hazardous chemical pollutants that cause damage to the environment. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department remains dedicated to eradicating these illegal cultivation sites.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Investigator James Roy or Deputy Sinclair at (951) 955-1700.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.