The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said they destroyed 8,643 marijuana plants worth an estimated $4.3 million while serving a series of search warrants in Santa Maria.
The Special Investigations Bureau and Special Enforcement Team searched areas suspected of having illegal marijuana cultivation sites. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Highway Patrol also assisted the Sheriff’s Office with these operations.
Similar to illegal cultivation sites that were eradicated Wednesday and Thursday, these sites did not have any licenses from the State of California or the County of Santa Barbara to grow marijuana.
Detectives destroy estimated $2.7 million worth of marijuana products in Cuyama Valley
The first search warrant was served in the 6700 block of Foxen Canyon Road. Detectives said they searched the property and found 658 mature marijuana plants. Detectives said they destroyed the plants and interviewed people for a follow up involving the investigation. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife got evidence to make sure the cultivation did not hurt the environment.
The second search warrant was served in the 2400 block of Hwy 246. Detectives said they saw a very large cultivation site in several stages of cultivation. They said they found and destroyed 7,985 marijuana plants. No arrests were made at this location.
The Sheriff’s Compliance Team said they will continue to investigate illegal marijuana sites in Santa Barbara County.
