March 22, 2022 - On March 16th, 2022, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Unit served a search warrant for illegal marijuana cultivation in the 4000 block of French Gulch Road in Murphys, CA. Deputies seized 4,112 growing marijuana plants and 144 pounds of processed marijuana with an estimated value exceeding $5,107,700. This location had previously been a dog boarding facility and had been nearly entirely converted to facilitate indoor marijuana cultivation. In addition, the large amount of juvenile marijuana plants indicated that this site was a nursery that may have been a supplier for other cultivation sites. Numerous electrical hazards were discovered at the site. Calaveras County Code Enforcement Officers responded to the site and red tagged some of the structures. Pacific Gas & Electric disconnected the power from the site due to electrical hazards and violations. Substantial evidence was collected and the investigation is ongoing.
Additionally, on March 16th, 2022, an unrelated search warrant was served in the 2000 block of McClintock Court in Valley Springs. Deputies seized 1,208 growing marijuana plants and several pounds of processed marijuana with an estimated value exceeding $1,452,800. A metal shop building at the location had been converted to facilitate indoor marijuana cultivation. Calaveras County Code Enforcement Officers responded to the site and Red Tagged the outbuildings due to code violations discovered at the site. Two suspects initially attempted to flee the site, but were apprehended by deputies.
Mei Juan Liu, age 38 of Valley Springs, and Da Ghuang Wu, age 46 of Valley Springs, were issued citations on charges of 11358 (C) H&S Illegal Marijuana, 11359 (b) H&S Possession of Marijuana For Sale, and 11366 H&S Maintaining a Drug House.
On March 18th, 2022, a search warrant was served in the 5000 block of Wilkinson Lane in Burson. Deputies seized 695 growing marijuana plants and 189 pounds of processed marijuana with an estimated value exceeding $1,150,400. The residence had been converted to facilitate indoor marijuana cultivation. Mold infestation and electrical hazards were located inside the residence. Calaveras County Code Enforcement Officers responded to the site and Red Tagged the residence for violations. Pacific Gas & Electric disconnected the power from the site due to electrical hazards and violations. Two firearms were seized at the scene. Evidence was collected and the investigation is ongoing.
The Calaveras Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with knowledge of illegal marijuana operations to call the Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Marijuana Tip Line at (209) 754-6870.
Source & photos: Calaveras County Sheriff's Office
