Plumas County Sheriff’s Office Executes Search Warrants on Illegal Marijuana Cultivation Sites 

September 20, 2025 – Sierra Valley, CA – Plumas County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on September 17, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office executed two search warrants at separate marijuana cultivation sites located off Madalena Road in the Sierra Valley.

An investigation revealed that both sites had initially begun the process of registering as legal hemp cultivation operations through the Plumas County Agriculture Department. However, neither location completed the necessary paperwork required to finalize the registration under the county's hemp program. Detectives believed this was a cover so that illegal marijuana could be cultivated.

Due to these inconsistencies, detectives conducted comprehensive testing of the plants at each site prior to executing the search warrants. The testing confirmed that the plants were marijuana, not hemp as originally claimed by the hemp applicant.

Upon serving the warrants, deputies discovered approximately 1,600 marijuana plants and 1,500 pounds of processed marijuana at the first site. At the second location, officers found approximately 6,800 marijuana plants and 100 pounds of processed marijuana. In accordance with legal procedures, all marijuana plants and processed products were destroyed on site.

The Plumas County Code Enforcement was also on site and found several violations that they will be investigating.

The investigation is ongoing. The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to enforcing local and state cannabis laws to ensure public safety and protect the integrity of legal agricultural operations.

If you have information regarding the grow sites, please contact the Plumas County Sheriff’s Investigations Division at 530-283-6363.

Source & photos: Plumas County Sheriff’s Office