Nevada County Authorities Seize Over 1,500 Pounds of Illegal Cannabis in Joint Operation
NEVADA CITY, CA – Between September and October, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Special Investigations Unit and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) conducted a series of investigations targeting suspected illegal cannabis operations across Nevada County. Authorities executed search warrants at eight locations, including four in Nevada City, two in North San Juan, one in Grass Valley, and one in Smartsville. Each location was confirmed to be engaged in illegal cannabis cultivation.
During the operations, officials eradicated 5,059 cannabis plants and seized approximately 1,514 pounds of processed cannabis, along with one unregistered firearm. One individual was arrested by CDFW on September 26 and booked into the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility on multiple charges related to illegal cannabis cultivation, possession for sale, and environmental violations under California’s Water Code and Fish and Game Code. Another individual in Grass Valley was cited and released on October 1 for illegal cultivation.
Detectives also filed additional charges with the District Attorney’s Office against five individuals connected to four of the properties. The offenses included various counts of illegal cultivation and associated environmental violations.
The enforcement actions were part of an ongoing joint operation between NCSO and CDFW aimed at addressing unlicensed cannabis cultivation and its environmental impacts, such as pollution and illegal water use. Several agencies assisted in the investigations, including the Eradication and Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) Task Force, the National Guard, Nevada County Cannabis Compliance, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities encourage residents to report suspected illegal cultivation activities to the Sheriff’s Office or through its anonymous online tip form.
