29,518 Pot Plants Seized Near Laytonville

[superjoint]

By Glenda Anderson, The Daily Journal
Source: Ukiah Daily Journal

A multi-agency raid on indoor marijuana growing operations near Laytonville has yielded 29,518 marijuana plants of various ages and 190 pounds of processed marijuana. "It's the largest seizure of indoor plants in the history of Mendocino County," said Sheriff's Capt. Kevin Broin.
Also seized from the Hunts Ranch subdivision were several vehicles, 22 firearms, a large boat, three Harley Davidson motorcycles, and eight, 50 kw- to 250 kw generators.

"They're huge," Broin said of the generators.

The plants were located inside eight buildings, some of which were built to look like houses from the outside.

Others were covered with camouflage netting, Broin said.

Three people were arrested during the warrant searches.

The bust was part of a three-day, multi-county effort that included agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, IRS, ATF, State Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, CHP, the California National Guard as well as the Mendocino and Humboldt counties sheriff's offices.

Altogether, the two-county operation yielded at least 30,000 plants, according to DEA spokeswoman Jocelyn Barnes. The totals have yet to be finalized, she said this morning.

The operation began Tuesday and was winding up Thursday afternoon, Broin said.

It was dubbed "Emerald Triangle."

Nearly 120 law enforcement officers were involved, Broin said.

The raid was the result of months of investigation of operations in southern Humboldt and northern Mendocino counties.

Altogether, 11 locations were searched, including ones in Redway and Garberville.

The marijuana operation is believed to be the product of an organization with distribution facilities in the Northern California area, according to the DEA.

It's believed to have electronic security systems that monitor its remote cultivation sites.

The organization reportedly purchased large tracts of land and subdivided it for its illegal enterprise, according to the DEA.

Source: Ukiah Daily Journal (CA)
Author: Glenda Anderson, The Daily Journal
Published: March 9, 2001
Copyright: 2001 Ukiah Daily Journal
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