November 21, 2023 - Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report that statistics directly related to multi-agency cannabis eradication operations are now available.  These numbers are part of the Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, which enables the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to provide funding to local law enforcement agencies combating illegal marijuana activities.

Participating agencies include:

- Fresno County Sheriff’s Office

- Drug Enforcement Administration

- Counterdrug Task Force / California Military Department

- California Department of Fish and Wildlife

- Bureau of Land Management

- United States Forest Service / United States Department of Agriculture

The following statistics are from 2023.

- 77,200 live cannabis plants eradicated

- 2,600 pounds of processed cannabis seized at cultivation locations

- 1 pound of concentrated cannabis

- 8,000 pounds of growing psilocybin mushrooms

- 70 pounds of processed psilocybin mushrooms

- 1 ounce of Cocaine

- $44,000 seized US Currency

- 32 arrests related to narcotics sales and the cultivation of marijuana

- 55 search warrants served for cannabis related offenses

Additionally, the statistics below are specific to the work conducted by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit.  These seizures come from patrol stops, ongoing investigations and assists on cannabis related offenses.

- 600 pounds of processed cannabis

- 1,300 pounds of recently harvested cannabis plants

- 300 pounds of THC Vape pens / cartridges

- 150 pounds of concentrated cannabis packaged for sales

- $20,000 seized or encountered as evidence with cannabis products possessed for sales

The possession of small amounts of marijuana is legal for recreational use in California, however, large, unlicensed marijuana operations remain illegal.  Due to these operations being unregulated, they pose dangers to the public and environment.  The majority of locations eradicated in Operation Sentinel were run by Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO) who were attempting to commercially cultivate illegal marijuana for sale.  These DTOs included Mexican drug cartels, Chinese organized criminal operations, Laotian and Cambodian organized crime groups, and Outlaw Motorcycle Gang interests.  These groups not only produce and distribute marijuana illegally, but often deal in other substances such as methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms and fentanyl.

If you are aware of any type of illegal drug activity, report it anonymously by calling the Narcotics Hotline at 1-800-660-1086 or Email:  drugtip@fresnosheriff.org.  You may also contact Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org.

You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

For more information on the Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, visit:  https://www.dea.gov/operations/eradication-program.

Source & photos: Fresno County Sheriff's Office