Law enforcement uncovered a large marijuana grow at a home in Tulare County, California while serving a warrant on Monday.
At 8:00 a.m. on May 13, the Tulare Area Gang and Narcotic Enforcement Team (TAGNET) was assisting the County Resource Management Agency with a code enforcement abatement warrant at a residence in Terra Bella when Sheriff’s Office detectives discovered an illegal cannabis cultivation operation inside the home and on the property outside.
A total of 7,219 cannabis plants were found inside the home as well as 3,763 others that were growing outside next to cornstalks.
All plants on the property were eradicated and destroyed along with 1,977 pounds of processed marijuana that were also found at the house.
During the investigation, detectives also discovered that electricity was being stolen to run the operation.
Officers took a total of 16 people into custody on various charges, including a 15-year-old female and 17-year-old male.
One of the suspects fled during the service of the warrant but was later found with a stolen handgun and discovered to be a prior felon.
Arrested suspects were charged with maintaining a residence for drug use and/or sales, cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales, resisting arrest, felon in possession of a firearm, theft of power, and possession of stolen property.
