Madera County Authorities Dismantle Illegal Cannabis Grow
MADERA COUNTY, CA — “The Madera County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip regarding a suspected indoor marijuana cultivation operation inside an enclosed shop located at 18772 Road 21 in Madera County, adjacent to Central Valley Mega Pit (18742 Road 21).
During the investigation, deputies assigned to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team identified Jamal Graves, owner of Central Valley Mega Pit, as residing at the property where the illegal cultivation site was located. Further investigation linked Graves to a total of four properties.
On March 19, 2026, deputies served search warrants at two locations on Road 21 in Madera County and two locations in the city of Fresno. During the service of the warrants, deputies confirmed the presence of an illegal indoor marijuana grow within the shop. Investigators also discovered the PG&E utility box had been tampered with, and electricity was being unlawfully diverted to power the operation.
Jamal Graves, 39, was contacted at the residence and taken into custody. He was arrested on multiple charges, including:
* Theft of public utilities
* Felon in possession of firearms and ammunition
* Felon in possession of body armor
* Cultivation of marijuana
* Possession of marijuana for sale
During the operation, deputies seized:
* Two AR-15 style rifles
* Three handguns (one reported stolen out of Texas)
* Multiple rounds of rifle and handgun ammunition
* Several firearm magazines
* One body armor vest
* Approximately 1 ounce of suspected cocaine
* Approximately 9.5 pounds of processed marijuana
* $18,020, additional pending asset forfeiture proceedings
Additionally, deputies eradicated 625 marijuana plants from the grow site. A 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass, reported stolen out of Fresno in January 2026, was also recovered.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Pursell at (559) 675-7770.
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to the Madera Narcotic Enforcement Team (MADNET) and the Fresno Police Department’s MAGEC Unit for their assistance in this investigation.”
