The Nevada County Sheriff's Office has commenced its annual crackdown on illegal cannabis operations. In the month of May, with the arrival of known cultivation periods, operations were executed leading to the eradication of 8,964 cannabis plants and 92 lbs. of processed cannabis. Aided by various agencies, the Sheriff's Office carried out search warrants across six properties within the county, uncovering significant operations and resulting in arrests, as confirmed by the Nevada County Sheriff's Office's recent Facebook post.
Among those arrested were Carlos Anibal DeMarco, 29, and Marlin Mora-Patricio, 22, who faced multiple charges including violations of the Fish and Game Code and possession of stolen firearms, as first reported in a social media announcement from the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. DeMarco, arrested at his Birchville Rd. property in Nevada City, had 5,549 cannabis plants and 51 lbs. of processed cannabis destroyed. Mora-Patricio's property and an affiliated location in Smartsville led to the destruction of 2,111 cannabis plants.
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office indicated that the enforcement actions were part of a larger, ongoing effort to target illegal cultivation, which will continue into the summer and fall months. A collaboration of multiple enforcement and regulatory bodies including the National Guard and the California Fish and Wildlife, among others, assists the Nevada County Sheriff's Office in these efforts. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicions of illegal grows to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office or Nevada County Code Compliance, with the option to submit tips anonymously online.
Illegal cannabis grows not only hurt legal businesses but also harm the environment and local water sources. That’s why agencies like California Fish and Wildlife and the Water Quality Control Board are involved in joint efforts to stop them. Nevada County residents who suspect illegal growing are encouraged to report it using the Nevada County Sheriff's Office's online Crime Tip Form.
