Joint Enforcement Operations Eradicate Over 14,000 Illegal Cannabis Plants in Nevada County
GRASS VALLEY, CA — The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted joint enforcement operations in April and May 2026, resulting in the eradication of nearly 15,000 unauthorized cannabis plants. The multi-agency initiative focuses on unpermitted cultivation sites suspected of causing environmental damage, including watershed pollution, illegal dumping, and hazardous water runoff.
Law enforcement personnel executed four search warrants across the county, targeting three locations in Grass Valley and one in Nevada City. Investigators confirmed that all four sites contained active, unauthorized cultivation operations. The enforcement action resulted in the seizure of 14,619 cannabis plants, 94 pounds of processed and concentrated cannabis, 1.3 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, and two firearms.
Two individuals were taken into custody and booked into the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility. They face a variety of statutory charges, including unauthorized cannabis cultivation, possession for sale, transportation of controlled substances, possession of a controlled substance with a loaded firearm, conspiracy, and environmental violations involving the state Water Code and Fish and Game Code. The suspects are also charged with evading state cannabis excise taxes and maintaining a space for distributing controlled substances.
The operations were supported by Nevada County Cannabis Compliance, the State Water Resources Control Board, and Nevada County Environmental Health. Officials stated that additional search warrants will be executed as the cultivation season continues.
