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Multiple Marijuana Grows Eradicated in Shasta County

DCIM100SPORT

DCIM100SPORT

Between July 13-16, 2015, Agents with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Investigative Team, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marijuana Enforcement Team, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wetland Team, Whiskeytown National Park and C.A.M.P (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting) conducted several marijuana operations in Shasta County.

On Monday 7/13 agents conducted an operation in a rural area near Potem Creek Falls, east of Montgomery Creek, CA. During entry into the cultivation site, agents encountered one Hispanic male adult, identified as Rafael Ochoa Gomez, working in a marijuana processing site. Gomez failed verbal commands and fled from agents. A K-9 was deployed and was able to assist in the apprehension of Gomez. During the apprehension Gomez struck the K-9 multiple times. Gomez was later determined to be from Michoacan, Mexico. Agents located and seized 6,387 marijuana plants along with approximately 500 lbs of semi processed marijuana, approximately 200 lbs of processed marijuana and during reclamation efforts seized approximately 800 lbs of garbage, pesticides, and miscellaneous items.

DCIM100SPORT

DCIM100SPORT

On Tuesday 7/14 agents conducted an operation west of Lakehead, CA in the area of Beehive Campground. A total of 4,260 growing marijuana plants were subsequently eradicated and seized. During reclamation efforts approximately 750 lbs of trash was removed from the illegal cultivation site. No suspects were encountered.

On Wednesday 7/15 agents conducted an operation north of Shasta Lake in the area of Gilman Road near popular recreational area Hirz Bay. During this operation 2,702 marijuana plants were eradicated and seized. No suspects were encountered.

On Thursday 7/16 agents conducted an operation in south-western Shasta County in the area of Beegum Gorge in Platina. During entry agents encountered one Hispanic male adult working in the illegal marijuana cultivation site. The subject later identified as Carlos Bernal Barbosa attempted to flee, however, was apprehended a short distance later by agents. Barbosa was later determined to be from Jalisco, Mexico. Evidence located within the grow site suggested another suspect fled from the site. A loaded .22 caliber rifle was located and seized along with 4,615 marijuana plants. Agents additionally removed approximately 800 lbs of garbage, fertilizer, pesticide and miscellaneous items.

DCIM100SPORT

DCIM100SPORT

A total of 17,964 marijuana plants were eradicated this week from public and private land in Shasta County along with approximately 500 lbs of semi-processed marijuana, approximately 200 lbs of processed marijuana and one firearm. Additionally, officers removed approximately 2,350 pounds of trash, pesticides, and fertilizer during reclamation efforts and two arrests were made.

DCIM100SPORT

DCIM100SPORT

Both of the subjects arrested this week were subsequently booked into the Shasta County Jail on a combination of the below listed charges.

  • 11358 H&S- Marijuana Cultivation
  • 11359 H&S- Possession of Marijuana for Sale
  • 182 PC- Conspiracy
  • 25800 PC- Armed while committing a felony
  • 148(a)(1) PC- Obstruct/Resist an Officer
  • 1602(a) F&G- Water Diversion
  • 5652 F&G- Place pollutant near State Waters
  • 5650 (a) F&G- Pollute Waters
  • 487(a) PC – Grand Theft (Water)
  • 600(a) PC- Willfull Harm/Etc Peace Officer Dog

Press Release

-from press release

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