Guatemalan Man Sentenced for Harmful Marijuana Cultivation Operation in Sequoia National Forest

FRESNO, Calif. — Oscar Alfredo Castanaza-Ortega (“Castanaza”), 37, a Guatemalan national, was sentenced today to 90 months in prison for conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute 2,864 marijuana plants in the Twin Springs area of the Sequoia National Forest, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The court also ordered Castanaza-Ortega to pay $7,819 in restitution to the Forest Service for the damage caused by his marijuana cultivation activities and ordered the forfeiture of his firearm and ammunition.

According to court documents, when law enforcement officers arrived in the grow site, Castanaza was in possession of a loaded .38 caliber firearm with the firing hammer cocked back in its firing position and a box of .38 caliber ammunition.  Castanaza admitted that he was getting paid $100 a day to water and trim the plants.

The marijuana cultivation operation caused extensive damage to the public land and natural resources.  Native trees, brush and other vegetation were cut down to make room for the marijuana plants and large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides were found in the area.  Thousands of pounds of trash, irrigation hose, and camping equipment were found at the site.  A helicopter will be needed to remove all of the trash, irrigation lines, and other debris.  Castanaza was ordered to pay $7,819.17 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for the environmental damage.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service with assistance from the California Department of Justice’s Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP), and Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Escobar prosecuted the case.