On 8/25/14, Agents with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Investigative Team, United States Forest Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marijuana Enforcement Team conducted an operation near North Fork of Digger Creek in southeastern Shasta County regarding illegal marijuana cultivation taking place on United States Forest Service property.
During entry into the large marijuana cultivation site, Agents encountered two Hispanic males working at different locations within the site and they were subsequently apprehended. Agents located evidence of a highly toxic insecticide known as carbofuran. This insecticide is outlawed in the United States due to its highly carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic effects. This type of chemical is commonly used by the cultivators as an insecticide. The cultivators also use this chemical to directly and indirectly poison other wildlife such as bears, rabbits, deer, fishers, martins, and other small mammals.
A total of 6,769 growing marijuana plants were eradicated with the assistance of CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting) personnel. During reclamation efforts, a total of 2,500 pounds of trash was removed, which consisted of fertilizer, propane tanks, miscellaneous trash and food supplies.
Gonzalez-Jauregi (aka Benostino Gonzalez) was subsequently booked into the Shasta County Jail on various Health and Safety Code violations. The second male was discovered to be a 17 year old out of Jalisco, Mexico and was subsequently booked into the Shasta County Juvenile Facility.
– Press Release
