Cannabis plants grow beneath a web of support lines in a commercial cultivation operation. [Image from the Siskiyou Co Sheriff][Image from the Siskiyou Co Sheriff]

Press release from the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office:

The North State Marijuana Investigation Team (NSMIT) has been hard at work this spring to eradicate and build cases against the black market marijuana industry in Siskiyou County.

In just one case last week on June 4th, a search warrant was served at a parcel in the Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision that resulted in the eradication of 903 illegal marijuana plants and 90lbs of processed marijuana.

Last year, the NSMIT team successfully eradicated 332,871 illegal marijuana plants and 54,070 pounds of ready to sell product.

A Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office vehicle sits near greenhouses on a rural property during an investigation into suspected illegal cannabis cultivation. [Photo courtesy of Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office]

During the course of these warrant searches of cultivation sites, the Sheriff’s Office made 118 arrests and seized 34 firearms on site. In addition, over 80% of the illegal cultivation sites contain dangerous foreign-labeled pesticides which are both known carcinogens extremely toxic to humans, animals, and the environment in which it is spread.

As we enter another busy summer for illegal cultivation, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating the illegal marijuana industry, holding those responsible accountable, and protecting the health, safety, natural resources, and quality of life of the residents of Siskiyou County.

As with all crimes in this county, we encourage the public to call our office at: 530-842-8300 or report suspicious activity via our online portal: https://www.siskiyoucounty.gov/sheriff/page/online-reporting

An investigator wearing protective gear collects evidence at a cannabis cultivation site. Authorities say enforcement actions often focus on unpermitted grows, environmental violations, and illegal water use. [Photo courtesy of Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office][Image from the Siskiyou Co Sheriff]