FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

FRESNO, Calif. — Federal search warrants were served today at two agricultural properties near the city of Reedley in Fresno County, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to information gathered by investigating agents, and described in the search warrants, the properties, at 22133 E. Jefferson Avenue and 5265 Crawford Avenue, were being used to grow marijuana. The owner of both parcels was notified in writing in May that the two properties were being used to cultivate marijuana in violation of federal law, however, the marijuana plants were not removed. The search warrants arose out of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department. Nearly 1,000 marijuana plants were seized in the course of the operation today. The investigation is continuing.

In March 2012, the U.S. Attorney and sheriffs from six counties announced a coordinated enforcement effort relating to large commercial marijuana cultivation operations on farmlands in Fresno, Merced, Madera, Kings, Tulare, and Kern Counties. In addition to potential criminal charges against significant marijuana cultivators, agricultural lands being used to cultivate or distribute marijuana may be forfeited to the United States without compensation, along with any proceeds of the illegal activity.

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