Sheriff's Department Marijuana Eradication

Los Padres National Forest - August 28th, 2008

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department Special Operations Division completed a week long operation of marijuana eradication on Friday, August 22, 2008. During this week, six marijuana gardens were eradicated ranging in size from 2,000 to 8,000 plants each. The 23,262 marijuana plants have an estimated street value of $58,155,000.00. In addition, 312 pounds of processed marijuana was also located in these grows with an estimated street value of $1,092,000.00. The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the California Department of Justice C.A.M.P. (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting), and the US Forest Service.

This was the third week in the last two months which the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department dedicated to marijuana eradication in Santa Barbara County.  Most of these marijuana gardens were located in remote areas of the Los Padres National Forest with several marijuana gardens in remote areas outside of the National Forest. 

No arrests were made although camps were discovered at several locations. Evidence suggests they were recently occupied by Mexican nationals.

The SBSO would like to remind citizens that if they happen upon a marijuana grow operation please alert local law enforcement and do not attempt to make contact with any possible suspects. They are often armed and dangerous.

For the 2008 year, over 67,000 marijuana plants have been eradicated in Santa Barbara County, with an estimated street value of $168,640,000.00.

For more information on CAMP, visit; http://ag.ca.gov/bne/camp.htm

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