Illegal Cannabis Enforcement in Full Swing 

June 29, 2024 – Nevada City, CA – Nevada County Sheriff’s Office officials report that with illegal cannabis operations scattered throughout Nevada County, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) is cracking down on illegal grows. Every year, in conjunction with known cultivation periods, members of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit seek out and terminate illegal grows and will cite and arrest offenders as warranted.

Seven search warrants have already been executed in the last few weeks with 9,907 illegal plants destroyed and two people arrested at two of the seven investigated grow sites, including Jeffrey Curtis, 54, of Auburn and Everardo Pacheco Morales, 63, of Grass Valley. At a third property in Nevada City, two illegal firearms were located and seized.

“In addition to being illegal, many of the grows we’ve eradicated through the years have had significant environmental health impacts, such as illegal dumping of hazardous chemicals and human waste into our local shared waterways and rivers,” explained NCSO Detective Vincent Martinez. “Others have posed fire risk, among other environmental concerns.”

The search warrants covered properties in Nevada City, Grass Valley, Auburn and Smartsville with more search warrants expected to be executed this July. Heightened enforcement will remain in effect throughout cultivation season into the fall.

NCSO works in close partnership with Nevada County Code Compliance and fellow allied agencies on illegal cannabis investigations. Helicopter flyovers of Nevada County are routinely conducted and all tips and leads from concerned citizens are vetted to the fullest. Community members who suspect illegal grow activity are encouraged to call the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office or Nevada County Code Compliance. Tips may also be submitted anonymously at https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/192/Sheriffs-Crime-Tip-Form.

Source & photos: Nevada County Sheriff’s Office