Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
For sheriff deputies, it was the largest pot bust of the county's current marijuana season after raiding a large-scale, "nursery-style" marijuana grow Thursday morning in Delano.
The raid led to the arrest of 30 individuals of Laotian descent and the seizure of 2,600 pounds of partially processed marijuana, worth an estimated street value of over $2.6 million, and 49 pounds of fully processed marijuana, worth a projected $50,000. *edit*
"We're just happy with this investigation," said Sheriff Mike Boudreaux at a Friday press conference. "It resulted in no one being injured and we were able to get this marijuana seized and it's not going to reach the streets of Tulare County."
Sixty personnel from multiple agencies at roughly 8 p.m. served a search warrant at a property in the 1900 block of Road 112 after a sheriff's airplane in late January found the 60-acre property, lined with numerous green houses, suspicious. It was determined marijuana was being grown at the site.
Along 10 acres of the property, officials on Thursday found more than 49 "nursery-style" green houses filled with marijuana plants up to 6-feet in height, Boudreaux said.
"Imagine going to a local nursery to pick out a plant," the sheriff said of the environment of the grow site. "It was very unique for Tulare County."
Thirty-one suspects were found at the compound and 30 were arrested for illegal cultivation of marijuana.
One suspect suffered from a medical condition and was detained and later released. They will potentially face charges, Boudreaux said.
Only a few of the suspects are believed to be county residents, with the majority having Fresno addresses. Some though are from as far away as Merced, Long Beach and Philadelphia.
Somlit Phasouk, 44, is from the Tulare area and Boonlor Patnuvong, 46, is from the Earlimart region.
The operation was unique in that it was so sprawling, Boudreaux said.
Because it resembled an agricultural operation and was situated in a rural area, it was not easily conspicuous as a place where illegal operations were taking place.
"I think they did a fantastic job at making it look as if it was an agricultural operation," Boudreaux said. "I think they felt very comfortable and that's the reason for the very size of this."
The operation was also unique to the county because of the large quantity of suspects of Laotian descent, Boudreaux said.
"Arguably because of the presence they're feeling in Fresno County, they felt comfortable in Tulare County," he said. "Here in Tulare County we absolutely won't put up with this."
It is believed the grow site had been operating for a minimum of one year. It is not yet known where the marijuana was going.
The investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are expected, Boudreaux said.
Sheriff's officials originally reported the operation was conducted in Alpaugh.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: 30 arrested at nursery-style marijuana grow in Delano
Author: Stephanie Weldy
Contact: sweldy@visaliatimesdelta.com
Photo Credit: Rodger Bosch
Website: Visalia/Tulare, CA - Home
The raid led to the arrest of 30 individuals of Laotian descent and the seizure of 2,600 pounds of partially processed marijuana, worth an estimated street value of over $2.6 million, and 49 pounds of fully processed marijuana, worth a projected $50,000. *edit*
"We're just happy with this investigation," said Sheriff Mike Boudreaux at a Friday press conference. "It resulted in no one being injured and we were able to get this marijuana seized and it's not going to reach the streets of Tulare County."
Sixty personnel from multiple agencies at roughly 8 p.m. served a search warrant at a property in the 1900 block of Road 112 after a sheriff's airplane in late January found the 60-acre property, lined with numerous green houses, suspicious. It was determined marijuana was being grown at the site.
Along 10 acres of the property, officials on Thursday found more than 49 "nursery-style" green houses filled with marijuana plants up to 6-feet in height, Boudreaux said.
"Imagine going to a local nursery to pick out a plant," the sheriff said of the environment of the grow site. "It was very unique for Tulare County."
Thirty-one suspects were found at the compound and 30 were arrested for illegal cultivation of marijuana.
One suspect suffered from a medical condition and was detained and later released. They will potentially face charges, Boudreaux said.
Only a few of the suspects are believed to be county residents, with the majority having Fresno addresses. Some though are from as far away as Merced, Long Beach and Philadelphia.
Somlit Phasouk, 44, is from the Tulare area and Boonlor Patnuvong, 46, is from the Earlimart region.
The operation was unique in that it was so sprawling, Boudreaux said.
Because it resembled an agricultural operation and was situated in a rural area, it was not easily conspicuous as a place where illegal operations were taking place.
"I think they did a fantastic job at making it look as if it was an agricultural operation," Boudreaux said. "I think they felt very comfortable and that's the reason for the very size of this."
The operation was also unique to the county because of the large quantity of suspects of Laotian descent, Boudreaux said.
"Arguably because of the presence they're feeling in Fresno County, they felt comfortable in Tulare County," he said. "Here in Tulare County we absolutely won't put up with this."
It is believed the grow site had been operating for a minimum of one year. It is not yet known where the marijuana was going.
The investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are expected, Boudreaux said.
Sheriff's officials originally reported the operation was conducted in Alpaugh.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: 30 arrested at nursery-style marijuana grow in Delano
Author: Stephanie Weldy
Contact: sweldy@visaliatimesdelta.com
Photo Credit: Rodger Bosch
Website: Visalia/Tulare, CA - Home
