Press Releases

Details:

On April 21, 2021 at 2:10 P.M., deputies assigned to the Thermal Station responded to the 70-600 block of Grant Street in the unincorporated area of Mecca in order to assist Cal Fire. Cal Fire was on scene with a vegetation fire and discovered approximately 45 greenhouses which contained cannabis.  Deputies assigned to the Southern Coachella Valley Community Service District Team (SCVCSDT), began investigating the incident and found the marijuana grow to be illegal. A search warrant was authored and served with the assistance of the Coachella Community Action Team (CCAT), La Quinta Special Enforcement Team (SET), Thermal Station Investigation Bureau, Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force (CVVCGTF), and the La Quinta Traffic Team. Approximately 17,144 marijuana plants were eradicated with a total weight of approximately 19,120 pounds (9.55 tons). No arrests were made during the incident.

The goal of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is to keep all our citizens safe while also improving the quality of life for those residing within the community. Marijuana cultivation negatively impacts the environment in many ways including diminishing and poisoning the water table and pesticides adversely affecting the health of neighboring residents. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has a zero-tolerance policy for these offenses. If you suspect drug activity in your area, please contact your local Sheriff’s Station. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy Lorton with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at (760)863-8990, or Crime Stoppers at (760)341-STOP (7867).

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.