In a recent crackdown on illegal cannabis operations, the Marijuana Enforcement Team of Yuba County (METYU), despite the sweltering heat, executed a series of search warrants leading to a substantial seizure. According to an official Facebook post from the Yuba County Sheriff's Department, the team discovered more than 25,000 marijuana plants and over 3,000 pounds of processed marijuana. A firearm was also found amidst the operations that spanned two weeks.
The extensive effort engaged various agencies, all working in tandem. Assisted by Code Enforcement, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the National Guard, the California Environmental Protection Agency, the California State Water Board, and the Department of Cannabis Control, the METYU handed out 59 environmental violations, along with 64 water code violations. High temperatures seen throughout the region, the sheriff's department noted, did not impede these efforts. The publicly disclosed operation was possible through a grant from the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Concentrated raids in the Rackerby and Brownsville areas brought to light the use of hazardous substances; specifically, eight illegal or banned pesticides were found and seized during the busts. These findings point to the ongoing environmental and legal infractions associated with non-compliant marijuana cultivation. Fox40 reported on this agency announcement in an article, detailing the environmental and water code violations resulting from these illegal grow operations.
Additionally, Yuba County residents found themselves entangled with the law following the latest search warrant served on July 9. Registered at a Yuba County jail on suspicion of various charges including marijuana cultivation, possession of marijuana for sale, and possession of an illegal or restricted pesticide, were Ty Chun, a 65-year-old from Stockton, and two individuals from Woodland—72-year-old Samorn Min and 75-year-old Thon Teav.
